RACIAL OPPRESSION OF RIO FERDINAND
THE AMERICAN COUP AGAINSTPRESIDENT ARISTEDE OF HAITI
Weekly Column published in African Voice
(London on Friday 5 March 2004) by Lester LewisOn Sunday 29th February 2004, the American Ambassador to Haiti and US marines entered the Palace of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. They arrested him, escorted him to a plane hired by the Americans and flew him to the Central African Republic. Why?
Peter Hallward, writing in the London Guardian, told us. "Aristede never learned to pander to foreign interests." He also refused to implement an International Monetary Fund (IMF)/ World Bank (WB) demand requiring him to sell off state resources to mainly American financial capital.
Under enormous pressure from the IMF/WB, he implemented a Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). These SAPS have crippled African economies and reduced the majority of Africans to poverty and degradation.
What Aristede did, and what the Americans did not like, is that with very scarce financial resources, he invested in health and education, to the benefit of the poor. He refused a demand from the IMF/WB that he cut wages. As the American writer Nam Chomsky indicated, "The threat of Good example" brought American retaliation on the head of Jean-Bertrand Aristede.
For months, the Americans had been waging a press campaign of vilification against Aristede, just as Despite being elcyed with ninety per cent of the vote in the 2000 Presidential elections, they labelled him a tyrant, and called him "a crazy idealist corrupted by absolute power."
Britain and the European Union have done just the same against president Mugabe of Zimbabwe because he is wealth and economic sanctions into the hands of Africans. They also imposed financial, economic and travel sanctions against Zimbabwe, thereby crippling the Zimbabwean economy and causing a financial crisis.
In the same manner, former American President Bill Clinton also imposed sanctions against Haiti on the basis that the 2000 elections were rigged. But an exhaustive report by the International coalition of Independent Observers concluded, "fair and peaceful elections were held."
One can understand the correctness of Aristede's policies when one considers that Haiti' is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. It is the fourth poorest country in the world. Fifty per cent of its wealth is owned by one per cent of he population.
Life expectancy is 52 years for women and 48 years for men. Unemployment stands at around seventy per cent. Eighty-five per cent of Haitians live on less than $1.00(US) per day.
Annoyed by Aristedes' pro-people policies, the Americans formed an alliance with the Haitian business elite, convicted human rights abusers and ex-army officers who had committed sedition. The malicious press reports against Aristide came from the local media houses that were violently opposed to Aristede and the policies he was implementing.
Speaking from the Central African Republic, President Aristede said that he was overthrown in an American coup. He told CNN, "They lied to me and they may lie to you too. They used force to push me out. No one should force an elected president to move in order to avoid bloodshed."
Aristede said, "Americans and Haitians surrounded the airport. American and Haitian agents told me in a clear and blunt way that thousands would get killed once they start. So I had to do my best to avoid bloodshed."
He was denied the right to make phone calls. He was not aware of where the plane, hired by the Americans, was taking him or twenty hours. Twenty minutes before the plane landed, he was told that he was being taken to the Central African Republic.
Once in Central Africa, Aristdes American born wife was able to phone the USA to alert members of the Congressional Black Caucus as to what really happened. Thus, Congresswoman Maxine waters, a democrat from California, was able to raise the alarm. After speaking to Aristide, she said, "He said it over and over again, that he was kidnapped that the coup was completed by the Americans."
But Republican Charles Rangel, another member of the Congressional Black Caucus, became a spokesman for American imperialism. He is a member of the trilateral Commission, an organisation set up to ensure that White people rule the world.
He said, "Aristide was not in handcuffs. He felt like he was in handcuffs." This contradicts the view of the French and independent witnesses. Rangel also said, that the Americans "strongly suggested he get out of town. The military helped him make his decision." This is a disgraceful statement by another house nigger.
The term "house nigger" was used by entertainer Harry Bellefonte to describe US Secretary of State Colin Powell. So it was not surprising when Powell said that American authorities did not force Aristide on the plane. And that Aristide was not kidnapped. The Black Messenger boys came out to support Uncle Sam when it needed them to do so.
But what was he American Ambassador and American marines doing at the palace of the Haitian President? Who rented the plane and had it standing on the runway at the airport in the Haitian capital Port au Prince? Why did they threaten to kill thousands of Haitians?
By this criminal act the Americans are once again showing their contempt for Africans. Outraged Africans in New York staged a demonstration in protest at the coup against democratically elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristede on Tuesday 2nd March.
A statement was issued by Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The statement deplored "the removal of President Aristede" as setting "a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments anywhere and everywhere as it promotes the removal of duly elected persons from office by the power of rebel forces."
"The removal of President Aristede in these circumstances sets a dangerous
precedent for democratically-elected governments anywhere and everywhere, as
it promotes the removal of duly-elected persons from office by the power of
rebel forces.The statement went on, "At no point in time was the CARICOM Action Plan predicated on the unconstitutional removal of President Aristede from office. The Action Plan, endorsed by the international community, was based on the precepts of shared government, binding both President Aristide and the legitimate opposition to
specific commitments, which would eventually lead to a political solution in
accordance with the Constitution of Haiti and result in a peaceful
settlement of the crisis and the promotion of the democratic process."Any suggestions therefore that CARICOM was a party to a plan or was in
consultation or had subscribed to the removal of President Aristide from
Office, as a prior condition, would be in complete contradiction to the
long- held CARICOM position that the removal of the constitutionally-elected
president by unconstitutional means could not be supported by the CARICOM
Community."With the removal of the President from office, the Constitution of Haiti
provides that the Chief Justice, subsequent to his affirmation by a
two-thirds majority of Parliament, would now act as President. The
non-existence of a Parliament in Haiti would bring into question the
constitutionality of the arrangement as reported. It further underlines why
the CARICOM Action Plan sought to promote a framework, which would permit
the elections to Parliament that would be free and fair, so soon as the
requisite conditions were in place." An emergency meeting of CARICOM Heads of State was called to be held in Jamaica.President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela called Bush an"asshole" for meddling in Venezuelan affairs. He sated that he would not leave office the way that President Aristide was forced out. He threatened to cut off oil supplies to America if they tried to force him out of office. Chavez said that George Bush Junior was "not the legitimate President" of America.
While Chavez has an army that is supporting him against a corrupt business class supported by the Americans, President Aristide had no army, just a handful of policemen loyal to him. He had disbanded the army that had staged a coup and removed him from power in 1991 with the support of American president George Bush senior.
Prior to the coup, Colin Powell had described the men orchestrating the rebellion against Aristide as "thugs". They are veterans of a death squad called FRAP- the Haitian Front for Advancement and Progress. They are convicted murderers. After they overthrew Aristide in 1991, they killed thousands.
These are the men that American president, election stealer George Bush want to put in power in Haiti. They will cut spending on Education and Health. They will reduce wages and sell off Haitian resources cheaply to the Americans as demanded by the IMF/WB.
Guy Phillipe, the so-called leder of the rebels is a known criminal and a killer who had been forced into exile. It would appear that the Americans gave him arms money and uniforms to orchestrate the rebellion against Aristede. Another so-called rebel leader is Louis-Jodel Chamblain, a convicted murderer and death squad leader responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Haitians.
Like the illegal war against Iraq to steal Iraq's rich oil resources this is international banditry. But this is not the end of this particular story. America is a super power but it is a declining power. It has gone over the top. If Africans all over the world unite to protect African interests globally, then the world will see something else.
French President Jacques Chirac supported the coup. It is seen as revenge for the humiliating defeat they suffered when Napoleon Bonaparte's French army was crushed in the Haitian revolution of 1789 o 1904. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the glorious Haitian revolution when former African slaves defeated the cream of European armies.
Not only did they defeat the French, they defeated the British and the American armies and navies as well. So while we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the glorious Haitian revolution, they are out to seek revenge and to humiliate Africans. But celebrate we will. The republic of Haiti was established in 1804.
In a posting on TheBlackList, Kuba Essegai points out hat when America invaded Haiti in 1915; they changed the Alexande Petion constitution. That constitution outlawed the owning of land in Haiti by Non-Africans. It was that invasion and occupation of Haiti that led to the chaotic situation in Haiti.
The Americans are not interested in Democracy in Haiti. Every time Democracy begins to develop, they intervene to stifle it. When they invaded in 1915, they brought back slavery in all but name. They imposed an American designed constitution that gave American corporations free rein. What developed was called racketeer capitalism.
In his book Eyes of the Heart: Seeking a Path of the Poor in the Age of Globalisation, Aristede denounced United States 'AID' programmes and questioned America's sincerity to developing countries. America does not hep developing countries, it robs and plunders them. Isn't it interesting that the same charge of being a tyrant levelled against Aristide was also levelled against Dessalines, Petion and Christophe, former Haitian leaders.
Kuba Essegai wrote "Prsident Aristedes current situation has all the hallmarks of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo who faced a similar crisis in 1964 and was murdered by the CIA. However, in the words of Toussaint as he boarded the French frigate to exile," In overthrowing me you have cut down into Santo Dominique only the trunk of the tree of liberty. It will spring up again by the roots for they are numerous."
This American coup in haii is a warning to Africa and Africans. America is like the hungry lion that ate the goat because if it did not do so, it would have died. American imperialism is on the decline. It is about to be over-taken as an economic power by both China and India.
Thus, it is desperate and seeks to steal the wealth of poorer and weaker nations, and to oppress and exploit everyone that it can. Hence, the war against Iraq to steal Iraq's wealth; this anti-democratic coup in Haiti; and America's alliance with mass murders, thugs, drug dealers, human rights abusers and the like.
Africa and the Africans must be on guard to defend Africa's wealth from a predatory America. To protect democracy in Haiti and to restore its rightful President jean-Bernard Aristide to power, Africa and the Africans must impose economic and trading sanctions against America through the African Union. It must break economic and trading links with this bandit nation called America.
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela describes himself as the first Black president of that country. This South American republic has a majority African descendant population that is keeping Chavez in power despite desperation of the Americans for a regime change.
America is busy trying to destabilise Venezuela to bring about the regime change it seeks. Africa and the Africans must warn America that if it continues to interfere in Venezuela it does so at its own peril. And it must mean it.
RACIAL OPPRESSION OF RIO FERDINAND
Lester Lewis
When Rio Ferdinand, the Manchester United and England defender was suspended from playing professional football for eight months and fined £50,000 for missing a drugs test, most Black people and Black organisations were silent. Not so the Hackney Black Peoples Association.
It issued a statement condemning the conviction and eight months suspension as Racial Oppression. It questioned why a White footballer who missed a drugs test was not charged with any offence and another who missed a drugs test was fined £2,000 and why Rio Ferdinand was given such a harsh sentence. The statement said that Race was the principal factor.
The Association then issued a call to the Black community, Black organisations, Black football players and all people who love justice to support Rio Ferdinand against the racial Oppression of the British Football Association, and for Justice for Rio Ferdinand. It sent out the following statement to be signed by Black organisations.
"We, the undersigned African/Black organisations in the UK consider that the punishment of banning Rio Ferdinand from football for eight months and fining him £50,000 by the British Football Association is Racially Oppressive. That is the only conclusion we can draw from this outrageous decision.
"As far as we understand, Rio offered to take the drugs test on the same day while the drug testers were still at Manchester United Football ground. We are aware that Rio was not found guilty or even charged with taking drugs in any shape or form. We understand that other players who have missed drugs test have not even been charged with any offence.
"We do not see how a guilty verdict for a charge of misconduct i.e. missing a drugs test, not "wilfully missing" a drugs test could result in such an outrageous punishment were race not the principal factor.
"We call on Rio Ferdinand and Manchester United Football Club to seek a Judicial Review of this punishment, we further call on the Black Community and all Black football players all people who love justice to support Rio Ferdinand against the racial Oppression of the British Football Association."
This was supported by Moyo Wa Taifa, the Pan African Women's Group; by the UK Branch of the Socialist forum of Ghana, the Global African Peoples Network, the External Bureau of the Uganda peoples Congress and the Convention Peoples Party of Ghana UK Branch.
Ignoring the principle that Racial Oppression of one is Racial oppression of all, some groups did not support the statement. One gave a reason saying that Rio slept with White women. Another said that he did not do any work within the Black community. Others were silent. They all ignored the teaching of Martin Luther King that states, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every where."
But Rio has kept in close touch with the community in Peckham in which he grew up. He told Southwark Life (August/September 2003); "Growing up on the Friary estate was great. There was always something happening and I was very happy there."
He continued, "The Borough definitely helped me and encouraged me, particularly the people of Leyton Square. I think I was lucky to be given an opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands."
He has used his position as a high profile footballer and England's leading defender to help youngsters growing up in Peckham. He told Southwark Life, "The work I have done with local kids is something that comes naturally. I feel like I can give something back and encourage kids to live their dreams like I am doing."
When Damilola Taylor was brutally murdered on the Streets of Peckham, he made a personal appeal to young people in the area to come forward with information. When the Damilola Taylor Trust was set up, he was the first to make a contribution.
In a message to young aspiring footballers in Peckham, he said, they "must be determined, listen to people who are giving you advice, whether it be teachers, coaches or parents and always be determined."
In an interview that is on the BBC website, he related a personal experience of racism when he went to a football match at the age of 18. He went to the same school as Stephen Lawrence. Of Stephen's murder, he said, "When he was murdered, the whole school came to a standstill.
"It was like, unbelievable because Stephen was never the kind of person to promote trouble of any kind…he was an A level student and he was going to do good things and then his life was brought to an immediate halt, so it was terrible."
So Rio Ferdinand is not the uncaring person that some would like to make him out to be. That some people in the community are jealous of his achievements, of this there can be no doubt. But that is no reason for being silent when he is being Racially Oppressed by the British Football Association and by FIFA.
At his appeal, the Appeals Panel cleared him of being involved in drug taking in any shape or form. That was important, as malicious White journalists and malicious White commentators on BBC radio Five Live had sought to associate him with drug taking. The Appeals panel found that Rio "did not miss avoid the test for any drug related reasons." However, the Panel upheld the Racially Oppressive eight months ban and £50,000 fine.
Rio has decided that he is not going to opt for a second appeal to the European Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. FIFA has threatened him with a two-year ban if he takes his case through the courts and seeks a Judicial Review. But this is against natural justice and a denial of the Human Rights of Rio Ferdinand, a Black footballer being racially oppressed and seeking justice.
Rio told the Sun newspaper. "When my appeal was rejected last Thursday (18 March 2004) my first reaction was to keep on going. But I've had a chance to think about it and don't feel it would serve any purpose by dragging it out." That is not the view of a man who is guilty of wilfully missing a drugs test.
It is the view of an innocent man who realises that the system is stacked against him, that he is the victim of injustice, racial or otherwise. The silence of the Black community has added to the injustice. This is in stark contrast to members of the England squad prior to their European qualifying match against Turkey.
Writing in The Independent newspaper (Monday 22 March 2004), Graham Kelly, a former Chief Executive of the British Football Association said Rio was "a fall guy for football's Olympic ideals." He aid that was why FIFA President Sepp Blatter was "so vocal in his condemnation of Ferdinand."
But Blatter disrespected both Rio and the British Football Association. The one thing he was not concerned about was for Justice for Rio Ferdinand. This writer hopes that once Rio has served his unjustified suspension, he will sue bot the British Football Association and Blatter under European Human Rights legislation.26 March 2004
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