The Politics of a Haitian Kidnapping
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The kidnapping of a prominent Haitian citizen this week in Port-au-Prince may be connected to President Bush’s victory.
Nadine Cardozo Riedl, manager of the famous Montana Hotel, was seized Monday afternoon a few yards from the mountainside fortress-like structure as she was about to enter her home nearby. Men dressed in black and sporting ski masks in a Nissan Patrol car with strobe light grabbed her in front of her brother, Marvin, who was pistol-whipped on the head. The kidnappers speedily made their gateway.
Up through yesterday, the family had received no calls for ransom. No group had taken credit for the daring act, either.
Mrs. Cardozo, in her 50s, is from a wealthy family with vast business interests. She is married to a German citizen. A source who requested anonymity told me that the swanky Montana Hotel was refurbished and enlarged at the cost of $7 million. Perched high above Port-au-Prince, halfway to tony Petionville, the Montana provides a spectacular view of the sea, the plains, valleys, and mountains all around.
The kidnapping of Mrs. Cardozo is the more troubling because the Montana serves as headquarters for the Minustah, as the United Nations Mission to stabilize Haiti is called. Moreover, the hotel is favored by foreigners and government officials. International conferences are often held there.
Lucy Orlando, a Haitian Bush supporter who calls herself “The Other Mrs. Bush,” is devastated by the kidnapping, which she attributes to “anti-Bush elements.” Her voice choking, she spoke to me from her home in Weston, Fla. “Nadine was instrumental in my getting so many Haitian-Americans living in Haiti registered to vote Republican this year,” Mrs. Orlando said. “She threw a party after the victory of the president earlier this month,” Mrs. Orlando continued. “And she was going to have a bash for me and 50 of my friends for the work done for President Bush. And now this!”
The supporters of ousted President Aristide were certain that Senator Kerry, the Democratic challenger, was about to be elected. “Had that occurred, Port-au-Prince would have been a bloody mess, because the Aristide thugs had targeted several prominent Bush supporters that would have been killed and their properties burned,” said Mrs. Orlando. She added, “Now after the initial shock of their loss, they are causing trouble. They must be stopped by all means necessary.”
Some analysts argue that the kidnapping of Mrs. Cardozo is indicative of a malaise in Haitian society, especially in Port-au-Prince, which exploded in violence beginning last September 30, a date that coincided with the 14th anniversary of the military overthrow of Mr. Aristide. Subsequently, the Aristide followers launched what they called their “Operation Baghdad.” Several police officers were beheaded in a style similar to what has been happening in Iraq. The Aristidians said they would not stop their campaign until the return of Mr. Aristide, who fled Haiti last February 29 in the wake of a popular uprising against him.
Once abroad and out of danger, Mr. Aristide, who had signed his letter of resignation, blamed presidents Bush and Chirac of France for his ouster. In fact, he said he was “kidnapped” by American agents. Thus, the violence instigated in Haiti by the supporters of Mr. Aristide aims to show that wherever Mr. Bush has attempted regime change, he has failed.
Apparently, America recognizes the dangerous situation in Haiti. During a tour of Latin America this week, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld reportedly discussed the Haitian situation. While in Quito, Ecuador, he made a point to meet with defense chiefs of Brazil, Ecuador, and Argentina, countries with soldiers on the ground in Haiti. Mr. Rumsfeld said the American government will start sharing surveillance information with U.N. peacekeepers in Haiti, but he urged the United Nations to beef up its force there.
Mr. Joseph is Haiti’s envoy to Washington.