Dignity

Dignity is Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's compelling story of his three years of exile, from the coup that deposed him (September 30, 1991) to the U.N. Security Council vote in favor of military intervention (July 31, 1994). He offers an intensely personal journal of events, one that records his doubts as well as his determination in the face of criticism and uncertainty. Introductory materials familiarize the reader with events from the fall of Jean-Claude Duvalier (January 1986) through the first months of Aristide's presidency. The afterword provides information on the period since Aristide's return (October 15, 1994). Dignity is a touching and readable account by Aristide, one that refutes much disinformation circulated about him during his exile. It also constitutes a major document for historians and students of the difficult institution of democracy in the Caribbean. Dignity Is Haitian President Jean-bertrand Aristide's Compelling Story Of His Three Years Of Exile, From The Coup That Deposed Him (september 30, 1991) To The U.n. Security Council Vote In Favor Of Military Intervention (july 31, 1904). He Offers An Intensely Personal Journal Of Events, One That Records His Doubts As Well As His Determination In The Face Of Criticism And Uncertainty. Introductory Materials Familiarize The Reader With Events From The Fall Of Jean-claude Duvalier (january 1986) Through The First Months Of Aristide's Presidency. The Afterword Provides Information On The Period Since Aristide's Return (october 15, 1994). In A Moving Narrative, Aristide Describes The Tension Of The September 1991 Military Coup, When He Ran The Risk Of Execution At Any Moment. He Supplies The Gruesome Details Of Murders And Summary Executions Perpetrated By, Or With The Direct Approval Of, The Military Junta. Throughout, He Interjects His Philosophical Reflections On Inhumanity, On Haiti's Social History, And On His Vision Of His Own Leadership. Aristide Has Clearly Identified With The Principles And Tactics Of Jesus For A Long Time, Writes Translator Carrol F. Coates In His Afterword. The Haitian People Have Envisioned Him In The Role Of Savior Or Messiah, And Have Even Portrayed Him Thus In Many Wall Paintings. Aristide Conveys His Alternation Between Elation At The Continued Support And Celebratory Receptions Offered Him By France, Canada, And The Haitian Communities Of The United States, And The Anguish Provoked By The Slow Pace Of International Negotiations And, In Particular, By The Curious Talks At Governor's Island. There, U.n. Negotiators Shuttled Between The Temporary Residences Of President Aristide And General Cedras In Order To Produce The Agreement That Contained Inexplicable Concessions To The Junta But Was Nevertheless Ignored By The Junta For A Full Year After The Date Set For Surrender Of Power. Dignity Is A Touching And Readable Account By Aristide, One That Refutes Much Disinformation Circulated About Him During His Exile. It Also Constitutes A Major Document For Historians And Students Of The Difficult Institution Of Democracy In The Caribbean. Introduction / Christophe Wargny. To The Limit. Complicities. Already A Myth? -- Vicissitudes / Jean-bertrand Aristide. Violence. Communion. Inhumanity. Cynicism. Resistance. Negotiation. Sharing. Hope. Oblivion. Listening. Justice. Appendixes. Notes -- Afterword / Carrol E. Coates. Jean-bertrand Aristide ; Introduction By Christophe Wargny ; Translated And With An Afterword By Carrol F. Coates. Includes Bibliographical References. These rambling reflections will be of little profit to those who have not closely followed developments in the former Haitian president's tragic country. Originally published in France as Aristide's exile was ending in 10/1994, Dignity was essentially a plea for more of the international aid & support to which Aristide attributes his movement's survival. He expresses particular gratitude to the foreign governments & human rights organizations that condemned the usurpation of power in 1991 by army officers supported by Haiti's oligarchy; he writes movingly of the solidarity he found among Haitians living abroad. His attitude toward the USA is understandably critical, given the history of American intervention in Haitian affairs & acquiescence in the corrupt & brutal Duvalier regimes. He lauds President Clinton's sympathy for democratic forces in Haiti but is candid about the deal under which Clinton's efforts to reinstate them were tied to Aristide's agreement to discourage Haitian emigration. For the most part, Aristide is excrutiatingly vague about the American elements that he largely blames for Haiti's problems, citing only the CIA by name. He's more open in expressing his contempt for the Catholic hierarchy, which he finds irredeemably cynical about Haitian democracy, from the pope down. There are fine passages, but they read like segments from oft-delivered speeches adapted for print & the translation is uneven. A chronology & notes offer some elucidation of the period's complex history, but this edition would have benefited from an introductory essay putting Aristide's recollections & views in context & describing the forces & people at work in recent Haitian history. Strangely, little attempt has been made to update the book. Should be of use to future historians, but likely to disappoint the contemporary reader.--Kirkus This is Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's story of his three years of exile, from the coup that deposed him (September 30, 1991) to the UN Security Council vote in favour of military intervention (July 31, 1994). He offers an intensely personal journal of events.