African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
239 p, Contents: Globalization, the "new world order imperialism," and Haiti -- Before Aristide : class power, state power, and the Duvalier dictatorships, 1957-1990 -- The prophet armed : the popular movement for democracy and the rise of Jean-Bertrand Aristide -- The prophet disarmed : the first Lavalas government and its overthrow -- The prophet checkmated : the political opposition and the low-intensity war against Aristide -- The prophet banished : the second overthrow of Aristide and the pacification of Haiti
In the current crisis, the voice of Black America has been inconsistent or hushed. While the Congressional Black Caucus has been outspoken in challenging the [Bush] administration on its entire attitude toward Haiti, there has not been a widespread outcry in our communities. Our voices need to be heard insisting that, one, U.S. and French troops be immediately withdrawn and replaced by soldiers from neutral countries, that is, countries that were not involved in destabilizing the [Aristide] presidency; two, the thugs of the armed opposition need to be immediately disarmed and the convicted criminals among them must be imprisoned; and three, The Caribbean Community or CARICOM should be used as a vehicle to move a national reconciliation program that ultimately results in free and fair elections.
The ongoing review of defamation laws by the Jamaican government has sharpened the focus on the need to identify appropriate standards for public officials in libel actions in light of the growing recognition of a need for transparency. This article explores how British, Caribbean and U.S. jurisdictions have sought to manage the paradigm shift between the right to reputation and the need to ensure responsible and accountable governance. The aim is to identify a path of reform for Caribbean defamation law that ensures greater public official accountability and better incorporates twenty-first century notions of democracy.
