Left cooling their heels all day in the French Embassy, military representatives from the United States and three other countries abruptly returned to Washington after threatening Haiti's army with expanded sanctions.
The U.S., French, Venezuelan and Canadian officers, in a mission backed by the United Nations, left behind a note Wednesday: The army has until Jan. 15 to "comply actively and comprehensively" with a U.N.-brokered agreement calling for the army to allow the return of exiled President Jean-Ber-trand Aristide.If not, Haiti's military leaders could face expansion of the current U.N. oil and arms embargo into a universal trade embargo; a blockade limiting non-commercial air traffic in and out of Haiti; and further personal sanctions such as the freezing of overseas assets, the officers' memorandum said.
In a statement read at the airport, the four representatives said they had waited all day to tell army chief Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras personally that they supported a national conference to seek a solution to the political stalemate.
"Unfortunately Gen. Cedras replied negatively to the request of the four friendly countries for a direct interview," the statement said.
A high-ranking Haitian officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called it "infuriating" that the officers came without invitation.
The French Embassy wrote to Cedras last week asking for an appointment, charge d'affaires Philippe Selz told The Associated Press. Cedras replied he did not want to receive the delegation, and a second letter was never answered, Selz said.
Asked why the delegation would fly to Haiti knowing it was not welcome, Selz replied, "We can't just sit still and do nothing.
"The fact that we were not received is not important. The essential thing is that the army has the (memorandum) in hand," he said. "Now it is up to them."
The French delegate, Maj. Gen. Daniel Roudeillac, said he did not consider the visit a failure.