A pal dropped a line yesterday when I was still considering the aftermath of our century of interaction with the people and government of Haiti. I think of the place with fondness: the people were nice, although their government was a curious thing. I largely felt they were better off when Smedley Butler’s Marines were running the place for the United Fruit Company in the 1920s.

My pal suggested that part of foreign policy problem is that “we try to fix things in a well-meaning way, but despite the fact that we have finally gotten State Department guys to talk about ‘end states,’ the bulk of our government doesn’t actually believe in US self interest. My case in point this morning is the director of the Center for Disease Control: it occurred to me that part of his inability to see the benefit of any sort of travel restrictions or quarantine is that he really doesn’t see US interests as trumping those of others. Some place in the running of a successful nation is the concept that the leadership needs to be able to say ‘if it is them or us, it’s us.’ These people can’t.”

I had to ponder that in the context of our recent attempts to influence the loonies in the Middle East and South Asia. How that relates to Haiti, or more specifically to the question of whether Haiti is better off is this: should the real question be whether the US is better off for what we did there? If it benefitted us, then okay, if it didn’t, then there is an issue. After we answer that question, then we can answer the question about whether Haiti is better off.

My pal concluded that his guess is “no.” He thinks the island is worse off now. Our intervention was for naught. Vast amounts of aid money have been, if anything, counterproductive.

I don’t know. I thought it was interesting. Here is what I thought at the time:

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 Bill 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 Haitians 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. Bill 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 of JTF-160 Detachment “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 SEABEES. 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. Bill 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 Bill met with Ambassador Donna 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. Bill 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, 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 and Mr. Bob, (Washington attorney and Cedras point-of-contact) at the crossing and the entire party, including the Sector Commander, the USDAO and Mr. Bob 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. Robert, a Haitian resident of Washington and associate of bluff Mr. Bob, 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 route Port 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 were 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 Lacey, the CODEL was split up. The Haitians did not want Brett or me 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. Billand Calvin were escorted by Mr. Robert to a series of meetings with junta and business leaders. Brett and I 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, of CBS News. The hotel was the CBS main station. Still, the Congressman insisted on commercial accommodations because anything official would have compromised the mission, in his mind.) Ambassador Lacey S had remarked that there were over 125 journalists in the capital.

Calvin indicated that the Haitians had planned a formal dinner with the leaders of the Junta, Generals Cedras, Biambi, Myart and Duperville. The Americans were Congressman Bill, Calvin and Mr. Bob, who was, of course, an agent of the Junta.

Dinner. The dinner was elaborate, orchestrated by Mrs. Cedras and included appearances by the three Cedras children. Rep. Bill 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 objected 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 AMEMB 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 S 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. No one would be wearing a jacket in that heat unless they were carrying, you know, heat.)

I stood down eight camera crews and twenty print journalists in the passage way and got the Congressman some room. Later, seeing the video of the chaos. Special Presidential Envoy Gray asked Congressman Bill who the White Haired Guy was. Bill said: “Oh, that is just Vic.”

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 the previously mentioned Mr. Bob Simon.

Departure. After meeting with Ambassador Lacey at an undisclosed location (Doncha love being able to say things like that!), Rep Richardson departed Port Au Prince at 0610 en route the border. (After I managed to rouse Mr. Robert, who was clearly feeling a great sense of relief that nothing had gone dramatically wrong). 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 Evil after years with honorable people is something else.) After an outcall with Ambassador Donna, 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. Bill 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 D (D-32-CA) had failed in its major goal of seeing General Cedras…”

At least we got a chance for Congressman Bill to meet the Cedras family, you know?

Copyright 2014 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com