"I Am President of Haiti"

By Amy Wilentz Jean-Bertrand Aristide

After addressing the OAS last week, deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide met for 45 minutes in his Washington hotel suite with TIME's Amy Wilentz, author of The Rainy Season: Haiti Since Duvalier. Excerpts from the interview:

Q. Do you believe you will be reinstated as President of Haiti?

A. I have no doubt that, even in exile, I am President of Haiti, and that I will be reinstalled in my rightful place, rightful because that is where the Haitian people want me to be -- that is where they voted me to be . . . and the world community is simply reinforcing their will.

Q. Why do you think Cedras moved against you?

A. Cedras had an attack of power hunger. Indeed, the lust for power was already in his veins, because of his training in an institution that manufactures cookie-cutter generals, all hungry to take over the reins of government. I appointed him, I was his friend, and now he is a killer of my people.

Q. How would you describe your relationship with the military since taking office?

A. To dominate the beast of the Haitian army for seven months was no small thing for my government. It's like a lion in the circus. The trainer is there in the cage with the lion, and he tries to find every weak spot of the animal in order to maintain his control. But if he fights the lion with force and violence, the tamer will lose, because he does not have the same physical power. Therefore he has to use intelligence. Sometimes, though, the beast strikes at you for no reason.

Q. If you return, what will be the fate of those involved in the coup?

A. There will be no reprisals; but we must have justice. Those who violate the constitution deserve to be tried and sentenced according to its articles.

Q. Did you fear for your life during the takeover?

A. I was not particularly afraid. After all, I have had a lot of experience with such things. I have come to consider it normal to live with death facing me.

Q. Do you favor U.S. intervention on your behalf?

A. I am not surprised that the U.S. has sent Marines to Guantanamo in order to be ready to protect the lives of its citizens living in Haiti. But the U.S. must also allow the OAS to follow its peaceful route. We are looking for ways to liberate the Haitian people, and military intervention is not one we even consider . . . Military intervention also raises ugly memories in Haiti, and we cannot exist if we forget our history. Neither U.S. officials nor Haitian officials support intervention.

The strategy of the Haitian people is more peaceful: we are looking toward economic boycotts, diplomatic boycotts.