What do you guys think about this...?
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France ready to help violence-hit Haiti
Tue 17 February, 2004 11:28

PARIS (Reuters) - Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says France is ready to offer humanitarian assistance to Haiti after the eruption of an armed rebellion in the impoverished former French colony.

But he was non-committal about whether France would send a peacekeeping force to the Caribbean nation, answering a question on the issue by saying Paris was in contact with its partners in the framework of the United Nations, which has set up a humanitarian mission.

Villepin told France Inter radio he had asked a crisis group to meet at the Foreign Ministry later in the day to consider what immediate help could be offered to Haiti, where up to 50 people have been killed in the revolt against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

"We have the means -- and many friendly countries are mobilised and ready to act. We have to find a way to do this in liaison with the different Haitian parties," Villepin said.

He said France could use its overseas territories of Antilles and Guyana as platforms for its efforts to help Haiti.

"We have a reservoir of expertise in education, health and humanitarian assistance there," he said. "We want to be able to make all this available when the time comes and if circumstances allow."

U.N. officials said last week that hundreds of thousands of Haitians could go hungry if the violence continued.

Tensions exploded into open revolt this month after gunmen who once backed Aristide took control of the city of Gonaives, where Haiti's slaves declared independence from France in 1804.

Aristide became Haiti's first elected leader in 1991 but now faces accusations of corruption and political violence. Ousted in a military coup soon after he was elected, he was restored to power in a U.S. invasion in 1994 and re-elected in 2000.

Villepin called on Haitians to let "dialogue prevail over violence" and said he hoped Aristide would promote such dialogue.

Notice how France has uttered more actions than the U.S. In a chaotic situation like this I’ve been amazed, but not surprise at how vague Collin Powell and the rest of the politicians from the U.S. are commenting. Regardless how much France and the U.S. hate Haiti, and France and the U.S. hate each other, the U.S. won’t be outdone by France, by any means necessary, the U.S. won’t be outdone. Many think that the most important issues in the world are in the Middle East, but I declare to you all, that Haiti is also in the mix as well. Watch and see.

I just find it discusting that when a nation is struggling before the violence No one anywhere says anything. There have been people starving for years... Hospitals are so gross I wouldn't go to one, But now they can see it... Now they want to help and make sure the please all parties...

Make sure their are no strings attached and take the big boys help. Get stocks of medical supplies... food... educational material...

Ahhh l'okipasyon d'ayiti se yon belle bagay.  Kounya idyo ayisien fe sitiyasyon ayiti telman grav ke kounya pral gen yon ban neg l'arme ki pral antre andan ayiti nan anne de mil kat saaaaaaa.  Bon, nan katwevenkat mwen tande te gen anpil fanm ki voye ko yo bay neg milite Ameriken yo. Ko'm sitiyasyon ayiti vin pli grav, komyen jeune fille pral voye dada bay Franse avek lot yo? Pou jan ayisien renmen bo deye blan!

I dont see why France would want to help Haiti...just to help.  Naturaly, strings are attached, but hey, strings are better then chains.

                                           At this point, Ill take strings with help.

                               ~~~Patati Patata

Patati, mwen dakò ave'w. Tende tout moun, zafè fanm Ayisyen k'ap bay dada yo n'est rien de nouveau.

Chak fwa m'al an Ayiti, depi medam yo wè se dyaspora mwen ye, yo lage dada yo ban mwen PLOW! Alèz! San pwoblem. Telman'm jwenn dada lè m'al an Ayiti ke mwen oblije rentre ak 7 a 8 bwat KAPÒT! Amweeeeeeee!