Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Haiti's leader to advise against exodus to U.S. Date: Wed, 18 Nov 92 16:10:35 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \SS (WS) \HD Haiti's leader to advise against exodus to U.S. \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT LEOGANE, Haiti LEOGANE, Haiti (AP) - The nation's military-backed leader says he will try to discourage a new exodus of Haitian boat people, which some U.S. politicians fear may be imminent. Prime Minister Marc Bazin said his office will issue a statement telling Haitians not to attempt the hazardous voyage or to expect the new U.S. administration will be more willing to accept them. "We will tell them, 'Don't be crazy,' " Mr. Bazin said late Monday. The pledge coincided with a visit by Rep. Robert Torricelli, New Jersey Democrat, who favors establishing relations with Mr. Bazin's government and dislikes the year-old trade embargo imposed on Haiti over the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Mr. Bazin mentioned no other, more concrete measures. Traditionally, the government has done little or been ineffective in halting the flow of refugees. Army officials are said to make money from the departures, requiring boat operators to pay a hefty fee. The wave of refugees was stemmed in May when President Bush authorized the Coast Guard to return refugees directly to Haiti. But President-elect Bill Clinton has pledged a change in policy to give Haitians a greater opportunity for political asylum. Mr. Torricelli is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Western Hemisphere affairs. On Monday, he visited the coastal town of Leogane, 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince, where he saw eight wooden boats being hammered together and talked to Haitians planning voyages to Florida. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM