Channel Cat

CHANNEL CAT

by Roger Jacques


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the first issue we reported sending a notice to 95 U.S. news bureaus concerning the availablility of news sources through the Internet, with a focus on and quote from The Haitian Information Bureau in Port-au-Prince. The initial response has been mixed. The most positive has come from Bill Edmonds, editor of the Tallahassee Democrat in Florida. Perhaps because his region is directly concerned with the flow of immigrants from Haiti, he is now in contact with the Haitian Information Bureau and also exploring the other outlets available through the Institute for Global Communications (info@igc.apc.org), which I describe in detail below. Mr. Edmonds has agreed to form a cooperative relationship with Channel as we mutually explore the Net. The San Mateo Times which is hoping to produce an electronic edition of its weekly early next year, the Oregonian, and the Whole Earth Digest, which can better be described as a slick magazine, have also replied that they are exploring these new sources. Statements from a dozen bureaus, apparently written by clerical personnel, stated that as far as they knew their organizations were not involved. Beyond that -- no feedback. This lack of response is of interest in itself. Channel will continue this effort nonetheless by reposting exerpts from this article to the same news bureaus, plus a hundred more whose email addresses we have acquired. We'll keep you posted.

The Channel waited with baited breath to get news from the Haitian Information Bureau during the Carter Accord and the subsequent landing of U.S. forces. Finally, right on schedule, we received the current edition of its bi-weekly publication, "Haiti Info." It is a remarkable story. While virtually all traditional newspapers in Haiti were shut down by the de facto government during these events, and while the members of HIB were forced into hiding (even though they were able to place telephone calls through to KPFA's Flash Points show for live broadcast), they were still able to broadcast their version of the story of what is happening to their country. If you would like a complete copy of this issue contact Channel.

Finally, Channel emailed a list of questions to a correspondent at HIB. The following response is a Channel exclusive.

----------------
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 1994 11:42:14 -0700
From: Haitian Information Bureau
To: channel@calon.com
Subject: answers from haiti

To: Roger Jacques
Sept. 26, 1994
----------------------------------------------------------------
1. What is the range of attitudes now among the populist groups in Haiti toward Aristide?

POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS, PEASANT GROUPS, AS WELL AS THE MASSES SUPPORT THE RETURN OF PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE WITH HIS FULL, CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS, ALTHOUGH THOSE WITH MORE POLITICAL UNDERSTANDING DUE TO THEIR EDUCATION LEVEL, ABILITY TO READ AND WRITE, ETC., HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT SOME OF ARISTIDE'S RECENT ACTIONS SUCH AS WRITING THE LETTER TO THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL WHICH ENABLED THE INVASION AND THE APPARENT APPROVAL OF AN ECONOMIC PLAN WHICH WILL UNDOUBTELY HURT THE POOR. [See most recent Haiti Info]

2. Is the U.S. government trying to isolate Aristide from the people so that U.S intentions for Haiti are not interfered with?

THIS IS WHAT MANY OF THOSE IN THE DEMOCRATIC AND POPULAR MOVEMENT FEEL... ALTHOUGH THEIR ACTUAL ACTIONS DO NOT BELIE THAT. (THEY LET HIM SPEAK ON THEIR "RADIO DEMOCRACY," ETC.)

3. Since the Carter Agreement allows the military and police to continue to function in place and since the intervening U.S. forces might not effectively interfere, what is the likelihood that terrorism against the people will escalate?

[THINGS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING, AND HAVE CHANGED SINCE THIS QUESTION WAS POSED... LET'S WAIT AND SEE]

4. Since Cedras, et al., will be allowed to remain in Haiti with honorable discharges from the military, what would prevent Cedras from running in next year's election?

[AGAIN, THIS IS CHANGING. THE LEGAL PARLIAMENT WILL TRY TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS THE WHOLE ISSUE OF AMNESTY. ALSO, A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE ARISTIDE GOV'T LAST WEEK SAID CEDRAS CAN STAY IN HAITI AND FACE CHARGES OR TAKE AMNESTY AND LEAVE THE COUNTRY. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON WEDNESDAY. NO MATTER WHAT, FRAPH HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS NOW A POLITICAL PARTY AND IT WILL SURELY FUN CANDIDATES IN WHATEVER ELECTIONS COME ALONG...]

5. Will the U.S. use this Caribbean intervention as a precursor for an invasion of Cuba?

[? CANNOT ANSWER]

6. If the embargo is lifted again, what percentage of the goods, capital and services that will reach Haiti would filter to the people?

THIS DEPENDS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY. IF THE ECONOMY IS "REFORMED" ALONG NEOLIBERAL LINES, VERY LITTLE OF ANYTHING WILL REACH THE HAITIAN PEOPLE. [See last article in Haiti Info]

7. What can you say about U.S. media coverage of the Carter Agreement and subsequent arrival of foreign forces?

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FULLY MONITOR IT, BUT IT APPEARS TO OMIT ALMOST COMPLETELY MENTION OF THE U.S. ROLE IN CREATING OR HELPING TO CREATE THE CRISIS -- WITH THE CIA'S ROLE IN THE COUP, U.S. AID'S ROLE IN THE ECONOMY AND IN LOBBYING AGAINST ARISTIDE, THE U.S. FAILURE TO EVER REALLY IMPOSE A FULL EMBARGO, ETC.

8. What are the prospects that the Haitian media will be able to operate more freely as a result of the intervention?

WE EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE APPARENT FREEDOM FOR THE TIME BEING.

9. Will the intervention create stability as a condition for democracy or at the expense of democracy? Will it even create stability?

THE INTERVENTION HAS NOT YET CREATED STABILITY, AND IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT IT WILL BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PLANS ARE NOT IN THE FAVOR OF THE MAJORITY. THEREFORE, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO MAKE THEIR DEMANDS MET -- DEMONSTRATIONS, STRIKES, ETC. UNTIL TRUE PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY AND AN ECONOMIC PLAN WHICH HAS AS ITS AIM TO HELP THE MASSES IS INSTALLED HERE, THE SITUATION WILL REMAIN VOLATILVE.

10. What role do you expect the church (especially the little church) to play in the transition?

[? CANNOT ANSWER]

11. Will the refugees likely come back with Aristide's return and the present regime still intact?

IT LOOKS AS THOUGH MANY WILL RETURN, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER ARISTIDE IS BACK.

12. What can concerned U.S. citizens do now to help the forces of democracy in Haiti?

JOIN A LOCAL SOLIDARITY GROUP OR GET YOUR GROUP (CHURCH GROUP, STUDENTS, ETC.) IN TOUCH WITH OTHER SOLIDARITY GROUPS AND SEE WHAT THEY SUGGEST. SOME GROUPS WORK TO TRY TO GET MORE JUST MEDIA COVERAGE, OTHERS DO LOBBYING, OTHERS ORGANIZE MARCHES AND PROTESTS. SOLIDARITY IS URGENTLY NEEDED, NOW MORE THAN EVER. HAITI IS UNDER A FULL MILITARY OCCUPATION AND THE U.S. CITIZENS ARE PAYING FOR IT.

The Institute for Global Communications News Service (which includes the Haitian Information Bureau) gathers and distributes alternative news and information to clients in the United States and abroad through a global network of distributed computers. Its on-line regional and issue-oriented conferences serve as a repository for news, analysis, calls for action and networking activities about that issue or region. Here is a sampling of these conferences:

INTER PRESS SERVICE

ips.english, ips.espanol

The Inter Press Service (IPS) is the backbone of IGC's news service. IPS is the Third World's largest news agency. Founded in 1964, IPS is a non-profit cooperative and is ranked by UNESCO as the world's fifth largest news agency based on its number of clients. IPS has more than 900 media outlets around the world. With 200 journalists-- including full-time correspondents and regular stringers-- IPS distributes about 200,000 words daily in eleven languages from its headquarters in Rome and regional centers in Costa Rica, Philippines, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and at the United Nations. IGC features news from IPS in English and Spanish.

PACIFIC NEWS SERVICE, SAN FRANCISCO

pacnews.stories pacnews.samples

Pacific News Service (PNS) is one of the world's premier alternative news agencies. Best known for its features and op-eds, PNS investigates the trends behind the headlines. PNS maintains a "samples" conference available for all our users, and a full feed conference that requires an additional fee to PNS. E-mail pacificnews@igc.apc.org for more information.

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE NEWS

unic.news

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) assembles and distributes news summaries and documents direct from the Security Council and General Assembly. The Centre promotes the understanding of the work and purposes of the UN. Information Centre activities are guided and coordinated by the Department of Public Information in United Nations headquarters in New York.

THIRD WORLD NETWORK FEATURES

twn.features, twn.notas

Third World Network is an international network of groups and individuals involved in efforts to bring about a greater articulation of the needs and rights of peoples in the Third World; a fair distribution of world resources and forms of development which are ecologically sustainable and fulfil human needs. Third World Network presents TWN Features (in English); Revista del Sur, Tercer Mundo Econo'mico y la conferencia (in Spanish).

In addition to larger news services, IGC features many news and information sources covering specific regions and countries. Some of these have their own conference, while others are regularly posted to the appropriate regional or issue-oriented conference. Here are just a couple:

REPORT ON THE AMERICAS

nacla.report

Report on the Americas is the bi-monthly publication of the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA), an independent non-profit research and education organization which provides information and insight to policy makers, activists, analysts, teachers, journalists and religious and community groups. Since its creation in 1966, NACLA has become the most respected source of alternative research and analysis on Latin America and the Caribbean. Each issue provides an in-depth look at a topic of central concern to US - Latin America relations. Shorter articles provide timely analysis of news-breaking issues.

CENTRAL AMERICA UPDATE, ALBUQUERQUE

carnet.ladb

Central America Update is produced twice weekly by the Latin America Data Base (LADB), at the Latin America Institute, University of New Mexico. It is an authoritative summary of events in Central America. Access requires LADB membership. For more information e-mail ladb@igc.apc.org.

ECONEWS

econews

ECONEWS, The newsletter of the Northcoast Environmental Center in Arcata, California, published monthly. News and opinion about environmental issues affecting northwestern California. Published since 1971, highlights of the lively, volunteer-produced tabloid are available online and cover such issues as logging, forestry policy, government policy and international environmental issues.