Weekly Report - 24 February 2004

Events in Haiti appear to be moving too fast for those on the outside who are trying to influence the outcome of the crisis. All external parties, beyond nuances, have agreed that the first step towards a solution should be an agreement between President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the opposition. They are deliberately excluding the armed rebels, who in the meantime are extending their control over the country. Soon there will be no choice but to engage them, one way or another.