25 July 1995
HAITI DAYS
Prologue
We roared around the corner, swerved around a pothole big enough to eat a bus and emergency lights flashing went hell for leather out of Port Au Prince towards the desolate country near the border. The Peugeot was spinning wheels on the soft gravel of the new road. The young African man at the wheel held his arms rigid, but the beating the front end had taken make his arms shake like he had Saint Vitis Dance. Beside us a slate-grey lake was placid, the low hills beyond them barren. Small boats smuggling fuel down towards the City made a brave profile in the morning, triangular sails bright in the low, soft light. The lake was lovely from this vantage. You could see no poverty, or pain, or even a mounting international imperative. It was just a place, and a pretty one, where the light reflected against the green and gray hills that ran away to the northwest.
We could see the Haitian border checkpoint to the right, low crude cinder block buildings that once might have been pastel. Brett pointed over the ear of our FAH’D Security Escort into the rosy light of the dawn over the dark green Dominican mountains that loomed before us.
“Look!” he said, leaning forward against his lap belt “the helos are landing at Jimani!”
I squinted into the dawn and saw the clouds of yellow dirt rising against the sun, just as they had the morning before as we plunged down out of the 21stcentury into the 19th. It seemed an eon before, as though life had undergone a fundamental alteration. For one, the vision before us meant almost certainly that we were going to live, and absent some mischance associated from the armed men around me, we would be home later in the same day. The knot in my stomach began to unwind a bit. There was just a border crossing to go, a meeting with Senor Presidente and then we could leave the island of Hispaneola and return to our own. It all worked out, the meetings with the General and the helter-skelter transits through the Haitian night had passed. Soon this headlong high-speed Haitian Motorcade, headlights on and blinkers flashing would be history.
I wondered if Pierre Cardin (nom de guerre of our FAD’H Officer Guard in the front right seat) saw it the same way. They had done exactly what they promised. They were professional and mostly prompt, even if their jackets did not button well across their pistols. How did this all square with what we had seen? And the threat of invasion that loomed as a very real possibility?
This part of Haiti Trip II was nearly over and it was probably going to be OK. Really, what could happen?
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NOW, HERE IS THE OFFICIAL VERSION OF WHAT WENT ON, bulk without fiber. I will share the Summary with you now, and the chapter heads as they were written and as they actually occurred:
“Between 16-19 July, a Congressional Delegation headed by Representative Bill Richardson (D-NM) visited Port au Prince, Santo Domingo, Guantanamo Bay, and Grand Turk Island. While in Cuba, the delegation visited the headquarters of JTF-160 and inspected the migrant camps on the base. On Grand Turk Island, the nearly complete but unoccupied refugee facilities
were visited and the delegation dined with British Government officials. In the Dominican Republic, Congressman Richardson consulted with the Embassy Country Team and President Balaguer. Traveling by helicopter to the Haitian border at Jimani, the Delegation was escorted by Haitian Government officials to Port Au Prince where Rep. Richardson met separately with Ambassador Swing and members of the de factogovernment, including a five-hour dinner hosted by Gen. Cedras. Mr. Richardson characterized Gen. Cedras as “not altogether intransigent.” Departing the capital early the next morning, the delegation made outcalls on the U.S. Ambassador, President Balaguer and opposition leader Pena Gomez.”
Right.The above is an accurate, but altogether lifeless treatment of pathos, exultation, lack of sleep and sheer unadulterated fun.What really happened was something like this:
Bill Richardson, ace Congressman and former Foreign Relations Committee Staffer, had an interest in the political developments in the Caribbean. His committee-mate on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep Julian Dixon (D-32-CA), had headed up a delegation to Haiti, the DOMREP and ships at sea, to assess the likelihood of success of the economic sanctions against the (intransigent) little island and it’s plucky bantam General Cedras.
Which is where I came in to the story, hearing of this on literally my first day on the job in Navy Leg Affairs (OLA). The news that three Members of congress were going to troop down to the flashpoint of that morning’s Crisis de Jourfilled most of the action officers with dread. Because the itinerary included the Naval reservation at Guantanamo Bay and the USS Wasp, it was inevitable that they would request military air services and an escort. Further, since they were from the House Intel Committee, it was likewise predestined that it would be the intelligence officer who would have the fun of planning the trip, getting the visas and handling the little details of travel to a place under formal embargo by the UN.
Which turned out to be easier than we had figured, despite the personal and heated intervention of the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Strobe Talbot. What a doof. Unfortunately for me, the leadership in Navy’s Legislative Affairs Office got the vapors at the prospect of having a new officer- much less the first Intel Officer ever assigned- escort the delegation as his first task with the organization. Accordingly, they sent my Boss along to supervise me. Thanks to the tit-a-tat between State and the Committee, only one military officer was to be permitted to go into Haiti and I was not it. The State weinies got the vapors and would not permit Military Air to fly into Port au Prince (Oh! We’d have to ask the UN and it’s never been done before!), the Delegation flew in via American Airlines. I got them on the plane out of National Airport on Thursday Morning, delicately orchestrating the Government car pickups around town with only a 1/3rdfailure rate. Congressman Reid looked really pissed when he showed up. But, show up he did and it was Show time indeed. Then, I went back to work and got Friday night with the family.
The next day I launched out of Andrews with a T-39 at 0700, alone in the back reading the newspapers and loving life. I picked up the Delegation in Miami as they flew out of Port au Prince that afternoon, and conducted them on the rest of the itinerary through the DOMREP, Cuba and out to sea with the merry band on the USS Wasp.
It was a successful trip, from all points of view. From the Members standpoint, they met with the U.S. Country Team in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with the prominent opposition figures and some of the dupes and tools of both de facto regimes. They met with President Balaguer, the wizened and mostly blind ruler of the Dominicans. They profitably observed the areas which had been used for the last wave of Haitian refugees, and which were designated for expansion should another wave occur. And naturally, flying aboard the amphibious assault ship underway was a thrill for all of us, legislator and escort alike. We have some astonishing capabilities in the military, and it is a treat to show them off. So, the trip on the whole was well received and established me on the OLA team as an officer of acceptable demeanor.
But there the issue ended. While they had met everyone else of consequence on the big show trip, the Delegation Had Failed to meet with the Big Cheese, the Grand Fromage, and Maximum Leader of the island which ex-slave and Island Bonapart Cristophe wrenched from the French. They had not kissed the ring of Raoul Cedras. The little Creole General had not only refused to see the Delegation, he had directed his duty office to decline the carefully-crafted letter of introduction from the Delegation. Bad Gri-gri, as they say.
So, the bottom line was that great forces were at work. Poor as it is, Haiti still has a GNP of around $2 billion, give or take a couple due to the recent unpleasantness. So, I suppose it should not have taken me by surprise that the call was going to come out of the blue…..that we were going back!
The Official version of the CODEL went something like:
“Rep. “Bill” Richardson (D-3-NM) was accompanied by Mr. Calvin Humphrey, Professional Staff Member of the House Intelligence Committee, Mr. Brett O’Brien of the House Majority Leader’s Staff and escorted by CDR J.R. Reddig (LA-52). The delegation travelled via Navy T-39 aircraft to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.”
In the real version, the cast of characters was a cascade of memorable people. The playbill included:
Congressman Bill Richardson,(D-3-NM). Latin, bi-lingual. A leader in the House, as Deputy Majority Whip. Olive complexion, given to weight due to his schedule but a jock none the less. Had a hell of a curve from the mound from the age of 11 through blowing his arm out in AA ball. Well dressed, ironic sense of humor. Liberal. Father was American and Mother was Mexican; grew up partly in Mexico City. Held a variety of positions in Government before attaining elected office; Foreign Affairs Staffer; saw his chances and decamped to New Mexico to build a political base. Good trooper, state staffer, ran once against Manuel Lujan and got beat. Then had the chance to run in a new district due to some gerrymandering scheme and was elected. In the house now for nearly 14 years. This being a tough year for incumbents, he is running again in the fall. He doesn’t think he will get his usual 70% of the vote but is not concerned about re-election. This man made me understand that Democrats are fun people, not up tight assholes like Republicans.
Congressman Julian Dixon. An older African American, filled with the cynicism of age and the boundless optimism of one who has made it in an oppressive society and can give it back on his own terms. The major player in Haiti I; not invited back in Haiti II, the mini-series.
Calvin Humphrey, professional staff member of the House Committee on Intelligence. On the Committee since 1986; wily, A survivor. Has traveled with Bill before. A man to be watched and cherished, since at his whim, heads can roll…
Brett O’Brien. Personal staff member of the House Majority Leader, Representative Gephard. Harvard guy, former staffer to Senate Majority Leader Mitchell. Accustomed to dealing with the upper limits of American Society at a tender age, one at which I was still wondering how to spell “influence”.
Bob Baltazar. Haitian American businessman.
General Raoul Cedras, Plucky little despot.
General Biambi, ruthless Haitian Warlord with a sense of humor and an aversion to the term “Thug”
Police Chief Francois. Known to Presidential Special Envoy Gray as one of the Three Stooges, but really a man trying to find a middle course and accordingly a fading star, valuable to neither side. A Man Not Invited to Dinner.
Ambassador William Lacey Swing. An awesome example of the cookie-pushing class. Trim, erudite, fierce commitment to justice, his mission and the nation.
Ambassador Donna Hribak. One of a bold new breed of women rising in the State Department. Tough, smart, talented and beautiful. An awesome vista on how things are really going to be. I couldn’t figure out who the Latin guy with the unbuttoned shirt was at the residence until I figured out it was the Ambassador’s Spouse…
Assorted MarinesGod bless ‘em. Camouflage-clad welfare workers. But the Corps esprit has not yet been destroyed….They may currently be doing good works, but they would cheerfully blow them up if directed.
First Lieutenant Pierre Cardin, a heavily armed Haitian Security Detachment type. Undoubtedly anon de guerrebut a goon with whom you never can tell. He made Raynal very nervous.
Raynal, a crazed driver.
President Juan Joquin Balaguer, an aged but still potent dictator. Undisputed master of the Dominican Republic, who lives in an Opera Buffo Presidential Palace with Comic Opera guards and Generals in the front office.
CDR Vic Socotra. A minor character in a cinema veriteexercise in amateur diplomacy. Well worth his 22 seconds on CNN.
Now It Begins….Like Needles and Pins:
The Official Version
Or, How I spent my Summer Vacation for the Department of the Navy: The trip began on 16 July with the first stop at Guantanamo and a focus on migrant affairs and JTF-160 related issues. The Navy put together an impressive agenda and re-arranged Brigadier General Williams’ (CJTF-160) schedule to permit the General to personally lead the tour of the migrant camps and processing facilities. After an overview in the Headquarters, the party toured Camp Bulkeley (previously cleared to U.S. Haitians) and the JTF base camp. While at the main camp, Congressman Richardson spoke to Haitians through one of the few Creole-speaking translators. After answering questions, the Congressman decided to proceed into the camp himself and visited a feeding station and a randomly selected tent. A U.S. Army Captain gave an informative account of how his people ran the operation and managed to maintain a sanitary environment for the 16,500 Haitian housed in the five tent cities on the former airstrip. He also demonstrated procedures for the Deployable Mass Population Identification and Tracking System (DMPITS). The orientation was effective, and the resulting impression was very positive as the delegation departed Cuba at 1500. Rep. Richardson was impressed with the enthusiasm, hard work and esprit of the troops. Later, he remarked that the military was tremendously effective in handling the migrant issue and this became a theme, speaking of the impressive feats accomplished at Guantanamo in a very short time and the outstanding personnel.
(Yeah, Right! What a morning it was! Forgive me if I speak with an action-officer bias, but that is what I was. I was the one who set the trip up. All the pitfalls and catastrophes were mine alone. It is as hard to set one of these things up as anything in the world! Imagine all this in a day, never having seen these people before and having it work flawlessly! Do we have great people in this business or what?)
Later that same day: Grand Turk Island. The delegation proceeded to Grand Turk Island on 16 July, where Colonel Doug Redlich of JTF-160 Det E was just completing the establishment of the migrant camp. The un-occupied facility was orderly, clean and well organized. The troops under his command were largely Marine, but included Army, Air force and Navy SEA BEES. The latter were enthusiastic about their unit, the mission and their considerable accomplishments. The impression rendered by the crisp and organized Marine Commander and his motivated troops was of a task force prepared to accomplish anything asked of them. The delegation dined with officials of the British Colonial government at the Governor’s residence, Waterloo House. Upon departing the next morning, (after some great last-minute beers at the Waters Edge bar where we entertained the troops and smoked cigars) and later closed down the sentient part of the island at our Hotel bar. The food and beverage manager said she was stressed out. It seemed to be a theme to the trip. Rep. Richardson said he would mention the professionalism and compassion of the Joint Task Force to the President during the weekly Leadership Meeting.
(We launch at around 0830. The crew is max casual, the delegation likewise. I breakfast alone at the Water’s Edge and enjoy a bagel, cream cheese and some instant coffee. I listen to a wonderful Missionary Christian radio show about the downfall of a Filipino Lothario and watch the pristine turquoise waters of the second authentic Columbus First landing point I have seen in the past few weeks and contemplate…..)
Dominican Republic. The second phase of the trip involved two Dominican Republic issues: sanctions enforcement and the uncertain resolution of the disputed election. Arriving in Santo Domingo, Congressman Richardson met with Ambassador Hribak and the Country Team for an update on the election commission and sanctions enforcement. After the update, the Presidential Palace called to notify the delegation that President Balaguer could meet with the Congressman and Staff. The largely symbolic meeting was used By Rep Richardson to convey concerns about sanctions and the elections and was subsequently discussed with the Ambassador at the Residence.
(While Calvin, Brett and the Big Dog met with the President, we killed time at the residence. I was having a hard time sorting out the players and did not feel dressed to the occasion since my bags were at the Hotel Jaragua. Everyone else had ditched their shorts for Suits so they could meet Balaguer. Rebecca Gaghen, our peripatetic Control Officer, hung out and drank Cokes as while we tried to sort out what we were doing. Luncheon was a blast, plenty of good conversation, I got to sit next to the Ambassador and the menu was a reprise of the dinner we had in the same elegant room five weeks earlier. Nice meat platter, beef precisely done, potato balls of some sort and little roasted tomato things. They kept your wine glass full and you didn’t even think about going overland to Haiti the next morning…..)
Haiti. The centerpiece of the trip was the trip to Port au Prince. AMEMB Santo Domingo arranged air transit to the border by contract Sikorsky S-76 Mk II helicopters provided by Interstate Helicopter Services. (Sound like Air America? You bet!) The landing zone was near the intended crossing point near Jimani, in the southwest section of the Dominican-Haitian border. The area is marked by moderate hills and few improved roads. The helicopters had been provided for border surveillance and other tasks as assigned, and were most useful in reducing the five hour overland trip from the border. Upon arrival at the landing site, the delegation was met by the Dominican Military Sector Commander. Mr. Bob McCandliss (Washington attorney and Cedras point-of-contact) met the delegation at the crossing and the entire party, including the Sector Commander, the USDAO and Mr. McCandliss proceeded 1.2 KM into Haiti and on to the first checkpoint. The delegation observed several tank-type trucks (which were described as being associated with road construction) on the Haitian side and small boats traveling into Haiti from the Dominican side of Lake Saumatre.
The Countryside. After an unexplained delay of approximately one-half hour, a three-car motorcade arrived from Port Au Prince. In addition to the military commander and a plain-clothed security officer, Mr. Bob Baltazar, a Haitian resident of Washington and associate of Mr. McCandliss, and two Haitian civilians welcomed the delegation. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Dominicans and USDAO returned to the border and the CODEL embarked for a high-speed transit en routePort au Prince. Cross country mobility from Mal Passe, the Haitian checkpoint, was very good and the motorcade proceeded at a high rate of speed on serviceable blacktop roads through the arid countryside. With a Haitian Colonel in the lead, the autos sped through the internal checkpoints and arrived on the outskirts of the capital in approximately forty minutes. Once in the populated areas, however, the quality of the roads deteriorated and very large potholes were common. Mobility was very poor and all visible infrastructure was disintegrating. A lively trade in diesel fuel and gasoline was evident in the “Kuwait City” district south of Cite Soleil, the slum formerly known as Cite Simone (Duvalier). The gasoline sales area is a disaster waiting to happen, with many people smoking openly near the gallon jugs of fuel.
Port Au Prince. After an initial call on Ambassador William Lacey Swing, the CODEL was split up. The Haitians did not want Mr. O’Brien or CDR Reddig present at the afternoon meetings. Accordingly, after being apprised of the de facto government’s likely attempts to lend legitimacy to illegally appointed officials (such as the Foreign Minister) Rep. Richardson and Mr. Humphrey were escorted by Mr. Baltazar to a series of meetings with junta and business leaders. Mr. O’Brien and CDR Reddig participated in the repatriation of 451 migrants from the USCG Cutter Campbell. This was the second largest group of returnees since 1992, and debarkation was conducted in an orderly manner under the watchful eyes of Port Captain Max Paul and approximately fifty loitering “Attaches.” (Including one real irritating due who persisted in coming up to my face and making sawing motions under his neck, face-to-face with me and grinning with a sickeningly macabre slack jaw. Cool!) Subsequent meetings with AID personnel revealed that the U.S. is providing 1.1 million feedings per day (approximately one fifth of the population) and 80% of all donated medical care on the island.
Cedras Meeting. The CODEL reunited at the Villa Creole Hotel, which was also being used as headquarters by dozens of reporters. (Us and Bob Simon, CBS. Creole was the CBS main station. Still, Richardson insisted on commercial accommodations because anything official would have compromised the mission in his mind.) Ambassador Swing had remarked that there were over 125 journalists in the capital. Mr. Humphrey indicated that the Haitians had planned a formal dinner with:
Haitian Side: U.S.: Rep Richardson
Gen Cedras Mr. Humphrey
Gen Biambi Mr. McCandliss
Gen Myart
Gen Duperville
Dinner. The dinner was elaborate, orchestrated by Mrs. Cedras and included appearances by the three Cedras children. Rep. Richardson in his press conference described General Cedras as not altogether intransigent, a devoted family man, and one who feels misunderstood by he United States. General Biambi objects strongly to the characterization of the junta members as “thugs.” Police Chief Francois was not present. The press release crafted by the CODEL after the dinner (By Brett, myself and the AMEB Press Secretary that Morning) was spun in a variety of ways. I now know that the truth is a very relativistic concept). The Congressman had no other remarks on the record until returning to the United States. (Although based on the video of the media riot of our attempt to regain the sanctuary of our rooms at the Villa after the midnight meeting with Ambassador Swing is something else! I played heavily armed Security Guy in my blue suit with the yellow power tie and the Gucci shoes, and wonder of wonders, in a heavily armed country, the bluff worked. I stood down eight camera crews and twenty print journalists in the passageway and got the Congressman some room. Later, seeing the video of the chaos. Special Envoy Gray asked Bill Richardson who the White Haired Guy was. Bill said: “Oh, that is just J.R.”)
Note (should you happen to be in an occupation force): Villa Creole is a superior facility with good food and no evidence of scarcity. The hotel was secure and reasonable in cost; it was also selected by CBS and other major media correspondents as their headquarters. The most prominent media figure observed was Mr. Bob Simon.
Departure. After meeting with Ambassador Swing at an undisclosed location (Doncha love being able to say things like that!), Rep Richardson departed Port Au Prince at 0610 enroute the border. (After I managed to rouse Mr. Baltazar, who was clearly feeling a great sense of relief) The transit was uneventful, as was the border crossing and helicopter rendezvous (Yeah, right! You should have seen it! The piggy eyed Dominican General was a real trip. Dealing with the Real Thing after years with honorable people is something else.) After an outcall with Ambassador Hribak, a ceremonial meeting with President Balaguer was conducted at the Presidential Palace. (I was included! I said “Buenos Dias, Señor Presidente” to the old man and watched Rep. Richardson work his bi-lingual magic. I tried hard there in the Presidential Office but I still almost fell asleep.) In deference to the unsettled nature of the contested election, a similar courtesy call was conducted with Mr. Pena Gomez, the leading opposition figure and likely President if the election commission directs another election (I did fall asleep). The return flight via MILAIR to Andrews AFB arrived at 1945, 19 July.
(After a wild thunder-bumper of a ride that scared the shit out of everyone and bounced Brett off the ceiling, cutting his scalp, moving all the luggage to the right in a most disquieting way, cracking the paint on the nose and making me want a drink in the worst way).
Now, although that is the end, the way this is really going to start is:
“The trip began as a desperate bid to salvage a failed policy. The Administration was in a funk over Haiti. Held hostage by Randall Robinson’s hunger strike and the strident demands of the Congressional Black Caucus, there was a growing consensus that only an invasion to re-establish Pere Aristide could salvage the President’s overall agenda and keep the Caucus behind him. Last month’s trip by Representative Julian Dixon (D-32-CA) had failed in its major goal of seeing General Cedras……”
Copyright 2018 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com