WASHINGTON - Exiled Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide stepped gingerly to the forefront Wednesday of U.S. military action to restore his government.
In his first public appearance since U.S. troops landed in Haiti, Aristide was welcomed on the steps of the Pentagon by a 21-gun salute and the U.S. Army Band.
It was the first such meeting in Aristide's three-year exile here and a clear signal of Clinton's eagerness to get the exiled leader to signal followers in Haiti that he accepts the plan brokered to restore him to power.
Aristide reciprocated by expressing Haiti's deep gratitude for U.S. efforts to bring democracy back to Haiti and announced his plans to return on Oct. 15. But he made no mention of the agreement that paved the way.
"In less than 24 days, I will join you in Haiti," said the Roman Catholic priest, who though expelled from the Salesian Order still says Mass, in a message to his homeland.
In another first, Aristide announced creation of a transition team to "assess conditions in Haiti and recommend the next steps" for restoration of "constitutional order." The team will be headed by Aristide's defense minister, Gen. Jean Beliotte.
Aristide's remarks after an in-depth Pentagon briefing broke three days of silence about Operation Restore Democracy, a coolness that unnerved the Clinton administration and outraged many in Congress.
His gratitude was effusive, if late.
"Thank you and the people of the United States for your commitment to lead a multinational effort in carrying out the will of the United Nations to help restore democracy in Haiti," Aristide said.
He specifically thanked former president Jimmy Carter, retired general Colin Powell and Sen. Sam Nunn, who negotiated the deal.
But his carefully crafted comments said nothing about the agreement Carter negotiated, one Aristide's aides say is irrelevant and even dangerous to his government's return.
"The success of this mission is directly tied to the process of disarmament," Aristide said in a pointed critique of Carter's negotiations.
Ira Kurzban, counsel to the Haitian Republic, said Aristide purposely did not mention the agreement because disarming the Haitian military and establishing a civilian police force are still being negotiated.
Michael Barnes, another Aristide adviser, said Aristide maintained silence so long because the Carter accord "was a shocker. He was promised" the junta leaders would leave.
The Pentagon briefing, conducted by Defense Secretary William Perry and Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came after a meeting Tuesday in which Clinton's national security adviser Tony Lake laid out the plan for Haiti.
That meeting, along with the announcement that 1,000 U.S. military police would assist with law enforcement in Haiti, helped persuade Aristide to endorse the U.S. military action that will restore his government, Barnes said.
Aristide called on all elected officials, many who fled the country or are in hiding, to "resume their offices." But he made it clear he's still negotiating details of his return.
"He needs to start acting fast," said Ken Boodhoo, professor of international relations at Florida International University in Miami. "He now has to act as though he is the government. Unless he moves now and shows he's taking over, there'll be a vacuum."
