Marines sent to Haiti for civilian protection

While the focus of the public eye may be upon the upcoming presidential primaries of Super Tuesday, it is impossible to ignore what is going on outside American borders. This week, several countries took steps that could change the face of the world. Topping the list of international events is the Haitian rebellion.

Haiti, home to more than eight million people, has been caught in a bitter fight for power for more than three weeks. At the heart of the deadly street fighting are current President Jean Bertrand Aristide and what the opposition call his corrupt administration.

In 1990, Aristide became the first democratically nominated leader in Haiti's 200-year history. However, since then, Aristide's governing has been riddled with problems. In 1991 a military coup forced him out of the country for three years. He returned to power with the help of the United States. In 2000, he won re-election, only to face severe opposition, erupting into full-fledged rebellion on Feb. 5.

In the past week, several countries, including the United States and France, offered possible solutions to the continuing crisis, but none of these proposals found acceptance. Opposition forces insisted that, before considering any resolutions, Aristide must step down.

Haitian opposition forces were granted their demand, as Aristide fled the country in the early morning hours of Feb. 29. Although it is unknown in which country Aristide is seeking asylum, the important thing for rebel forces is that Aristide is gone.

As reported by Reuters, Charles Baker, leader of a coalition of opposition civic and political groups, said this will be beneficial.

"It's great for the country," Baker said. "That's what we've been waiting for."

For now, Boniface Alexandre, a member of Haiti's Supreme Court, has taken on the difficult task of leading a transitional government.

As reported by the Associated Press, Alexandre said, "Haiti is in crisis. It needs all of its sons and daughters. No one should take justice into their own hands."

Despite this plea, many fear that the "vacuum of power" that Haiti is experiencing will lead to more problems for the nation.

Even as news broke on Sunday of Aristide's resignation, looters filled the streets, and prison guards left their posts, resulting in an exodus of the national prison in Port-au-Prince of more than 2,000 criminals. Rebel forces celebrated in the streets amidst bursts of gunfire and the burning of barriers.

The U.S. has sent a small contingent of Marines to protect the U.S. citizens currently living in Haiti and as part of what will be an international security force. For Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, it is a welcome move.

Guy Philippe, a leader of the opposition forces, told CNN that Haitians are now waiting for international forces.

"I think the worst is over," Philippe said. "They will have our full cooperation."

In addition to the chaos in the Caribbean, several other nations have demanded worldwide attention, among them North Korea, Iraq, and Israel.

In North Korea, six nations met to discuss the fate of that country's nuclear weapons program. South Korea, China and Russia agreed to offer energy aid to North Korea, under the condition that, as a step to dismantling their nuclear program, they freeze all research and weapons building.

Although the U.S. and Japan are refusing to offer aid until North Korea completely dismantles their program, the six countries agreed that these talks had a much more hopeful outlook than last year's discussions. Future talks were planned for June.

In Iraq, the Feb. 28 deadline for the passing of an interim constitution for the new Iraqi government came and went without an agreement. The two most difficult issues facing the constitution committee involve the role of Islam in Iraqi government and the degree of independence allowed to the Kurdish people who share that region.

The U.S. has said that it will veto any constitution setting up an Islamic republic, but there are reasons to be hopeful that it will not come down to that. The current draft of the constitution, although not yet passed, contains an extensive bill of rights guaranteeing freedoms of speech, assembly and religion, all steps that could dramatically change life in Iraq.

Finally, the issue of the Israeli wall that is being built in the West Bank is keeping tensions in the Middle East high. The issue went to the International Court at The Hague on Feb. 23. The Israelis claim the wall is protection from Palestinian suicide bombers, while the Palestinians see the wall as an attempt by Israel to take Palestinian land.

Gideon Meir, leader of the Israeli delegation at The Hague, as reported by the New York Times, denied this claim. "We're protecting people, we're not protecting land."

Whether these international problems will find quick solutions or will continue to de-stabilize these nations, it is important to be aware and watching, since the world is changing on a daily basis.