Bush weighs sending 2,000 Marines off Haiti

[Uncle Sam]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4244322/


WASHINGTON - President Bush on Friday is set to review possible military options to respond to the escalation of violence in Haiti, including one option that would send Navy ships and 2,000 Marines to the Caribbean should an emergency evacuation be required, U.S. officials tell NBC News.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized that no decision to send those troops has been made, NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reported from the Pentagon.

Another factor that could warrant sending in Marines is if U.S. Coast Guard crews feel they need back up to stem any massive wave of Haitian refugees fleeing the country by boat.

In Haiti itself, the conflict between President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and political as well as armed opposition continued Friday. In the capital Port-au-Prince, most commercial flights were canceled and thousands of pro-Aristide looters descended on port facilities.

Rebels drove police out and freed about 67 prisoners in Mireblais, about 25 miles southeast of Port-au-Prince, witnesses said. It was unclear whether the rebels were still in the town or were pushing toward the capital.

Haiti’s third-largest city, Les Cayes, fell Thursday and is now in the control of the Base Resistance, an anti-government group allied with Haiti’s opposition Democratic Platform but not tied to the rebels.

In Paris, meanwhile, a Haitian government team met with French officials and France later made a new appeal for Aristide to quit as a first step toward restoring order in Haiti. France earlier this week urged the "immediate" formation of an international civilian force to support a new government.

Aristide has said he will see out his term in office to 2006 but was willing to share power.

UUGGHH!!!

[memphiz]

Canada also has 100 soldiers on an 8 hour stand by

[Sixgun Symphony]

The Haitians must fix their problems themselves.

Just sit this one out, their civil war is almost over.

[Falco]

The Haitians must fix their problems themselves.

Just sit this one out, their civil war is almost over.

Sais who? It seems to me that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Have you read the news paper this morning?

http://www.canada.com/search/story.html?id=73a392d5-860b-4e05-8fc6-7fcb390156e6

[EvanL]

The Haitians must fix their problems themselves.

Just sit this one out, their civil war is almost over.
You sir, are a heartless bastard.

[Sixgun Symphony]

The USA has been in Haiti several times over the 20th century to help them.

We build their roads, their infrastructure, and we help them to set up governments.

But it always goes to hell right after we leave.

[Maverick77]

Yeah let the rebels take the country.......... the people seem to like it and the pro government militias are the ones killing civilians.

So just let the Rebels take the country.

[EvanL]

The USA has been in Haiti several times over the 20th century to help them.

We build their roads, their infrastructure, and we help them to set up governments.

But it always goes to hell right after we leave.
the U.S. military has only been in Haiti once to intervene before. I believe your thinking of the intervention in the D.R., Haitis neighbouring country.

[Maverick77]

The U.S was in Haiti twice.

Once for 19 years.

Time to let them take care of their own problems.

[Yard Ape]

EvanLloyd,
Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. :lol:

Sixgun,
Would it not be possible to end the violence & establish some stability inorder to allow the people to peacefully re-evaluate the means through which they select thier governments?

Last information I had was that Aristide was elected. Maybe his terms of office were too long, or maybe too much power was given to the position of president, but why can't the world insist that this be decided peacefully?

[Sixgun Symphony]

Sixgun,
Would it not be possible to end the violence & establish some stability inorder to allow the people to peacefully re-evaluate the means through which they select thier governments?

Last information I had was that Aristide was elected. Maybe his terms of office were too long, or maybe too much power was given to the position of president, but why can't the world insist that this be decided peacefully?

It is not for the world to decide, it is for the Haitians to decide their own course.

The world should not interfere, the Haitians need to sort things out for themselves.

[Sixgun Symphony]

Canada also has 100 soldiers on an 8 hour stand by

And the US will be sending 2000 marines if we go in.

This is why I am so against the "multilateral" missions. Our allies normally send in small token forces while the US carries much of the burden. Yet it is our allies who want to dictate our policies.

Enough of that B/S! Time for the US to pull out of foriegn entanglements like NATO and look to its own interests.

[Falco]

Canada also has 100 soldiers on an 8 hour stand by

And the US will be sending 2000 marines if we go in.

This is why I am so against the "multilateral" missions. Our allies normally send in small token forces while the US carries much of the burden. Yet it is our allies who want to dictate our policies.

Enough of that B/S! Time for the US to pull out of foriegn entanglements like NATO and look to its own interests.

How many soldiers does the US have. Now, how many soldiers does Canada have. We can't send 2000 guys because we don't have them.

[crazyman]

honestly, i think it's an internal problem and no other govt has any right to go there and intercede. barring human rights issues, a rebellion is by nature an internal affair. beyond protecting the U.S. embassy, I think we should stay out.

[Yard Ape]

Canada also has 100 soldiers on an 8 hour stand by

And the US will be sending 2000 marines if we go in.

This is why I am so against the "multilateral" missions. Our allies normally send in small token forces while the US carries much of the burden. Yet it is our allies who want to dictate our policies. As a percentage of population, this difference is negligable (less than 4E-6).

US Population: 290,342,554
Cdn Population: 32,207,113

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ca.html
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html

[Sixgun Symphony]

I had another conversation with a Canadian about how Canada could expand its military. He felt that Canada's military should be smaller, not bigger. When I told him that Canada should have a few airborne divisons and an aircraft carrier, he blew his lid.

It seems like everyone wants for the US to be the world's policeman. They also want that world policeman to take orders from them.

I am sick of it. I think we should adopt an armed nuetrality like the Swiss.

[Yard Ape]

I had another conversation with a Canadian about how Canada could expand its military. He felt that Canada's military should be smaller, not bigger.

It seems like everyone wants for the US to be the world's policeman. They also want that world policeman to take orders from them.

I am sick of it. I think we should adopt an armed nuetrality like the Swiss.It is great that you can generalize the world based on a conversation with one person.

[ibstolidude]

Canada also has 100 soldiers on an 8 hour stand by
Anyone remember from FBNC the last time news like this was about Haiti. I wonder if they'll get airborne, stopped on green ramp, turned back 60 or so aircraft or go through with it..- to speak on past terms.

[Sixgun Symphony]

quote]It is great that you can generalize the world based on a conversation with one person.

I believe you were here for that conversation.

Also, I don't see Canada expanding its military spending much at all.
You guys disbanded your only airborne division. That is nuts, you must have some anti-military hippie types running your government up there.

[Yard Ape]

quote]It is great that you can generalize the world based on a conversation with one person.

I believe you were here for that conversation.If you are suggesting that I want a smaller Cdn military, you are talking out your arse (not unexpectedly). It is also interesting that you don't dispute the observation that you willingly generalise the entire world based on a conversation with one person.

Also, I don't see Canada expanding its military spending much at all.We have already started.

You guys disbanded your only airborne division. That is nuts, you must have some anti-military hippie types running your government up there.We never had an airborne division. You are ill informed on our military.

[Falco]

quote]It is great that you can generalize the world based on a conversation with one person.

I believe you were here for that conversation.

Also, I don't see Canada expanding its military spending much at all.
You guys disbanded your only airborne division. That is nuts, you must have some anti-military hippie types running your government up there.

Things don't happen instantly. We have are ordering new choppers to replace the seaking, new light vehecules to replave the Iltis.

http://www2.sfu.ca/casr/101-0intro.htm

[EvanL]

quote]It is great that you can generalize the world based on a conversation with one person.

I believe you were here for that conversation.

Also, I don't see Canada expanding its military spending much at all.
You guys disbanded your only airborne division. That is nuts, you must have some anti-military hippie types running your government up there.
We never disbanded our only airborne division. We disbanded our only airborne regiment. Stupid idea non-the-less. We still maintain three airborne companys.
And i would suggest you dont criticize our militarys spending, as we dont criticize yours. Our government is stupid, yet you have no right to talk about it.

[Yard Ape]

Our government is stupid, yet you have no right to talk about it.He has the right to make observations, even when made with his head up his @$$.

[SFontaine]

It's funny cause he's right on all fronts. Our government is run by cost cutting hippies who dont give a **** about the Military. You guys do realize that the way it's going we wont HAVE an Army in 10 years.
There were bids to replace the Sea King 10 years ago and that **** hasn't gone through. Whenever we deploy anywhere in the world we need other countries to transport our troops, and it's not like we deploy to a lot of places. It's rediculous.

[Yard Ape]

Our government is run by cost cutting hippies who dont give a f*** about the Military. . . . was run. They are saying the right things @ the top now, and the money has started to increase.

I think we would do better with Gen Mckennzie as MND though. Hope he runs again in a united conservative party.

[EvanL]

Our government is run by cost cutting hippies who dont give a f*** about the Military. . . . was run. They are saying the right things @ the top now, and the money has started to increase.

I think we would do better with Gen Mckennzie as MND though. Hope he runs again in a united conservative party.
It would be excellent if he did run. I think the new conservative party, even if it doesnt win the federal election anytime soon, it will put pressure on the liberals to increase the military spending.
Just some thoughts.
Yard Ape, are you a serving member of the forces past or present?

[Yard Ape]

Present
Combat Arms