Galesburg Register-Mail from Galesburg, Illinois • Page 33

Haitians claim U.S. ignores their plight Qalesburg Register-Mill, Galesburg, nsw Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1977 33 Is asylum only for leftist By TOM TIEDE MIAMI, Fla. (NEA) Late last Summer 101 Haitian refugees landed by boat at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo, Cuba.

ThejLtold of fierce government repression in their homeland. They spoke of totalitarian brutality. Despite the exile's appeals for asylum, however, U.S. authorities sent all but four of them home. The incident received only scant notice in most of America But it was registered as a most alarming event in Miami's Haitian community.

The Haitians believe the deportation of the refugees was another indication that the U.S. policy regarding political asylum is outdated, unfair and cruel prejudicial. The criticism is this: while America has historically accepted almost all exiles from Communist states, it is increasingly reluctant to serve as a haven for refugees from right wing dictatorships. No Cuban refugee has ever been refused, for example, but almost all exiles from friendly Haiti are turned away. HAITIANS here say their charge can be verified by a reading of official records.

They say it is not just by chance that nine of 10 exiles from leftist states are granted U.S. asylum, while an equal proportion of exiles from such countries as Haiti, Chile and the Philippines are refused all but momentary entry. Haitians say the imbalance is an entirely arbitrary one. Jean Bart Rulx of Miami's Haitian Refugee Service says U.S. law forbids bias in the immigration procedure: "Everyone is supposed to be given equal consideration.

But that's an illusion. Political and diplomatic considerations are the deciding factors." The critics cite statistics regarding South Vietnam as an illustration of the alleged discrimination. Prior to the Communist victory there, South Vietnam's exiles were seldom allowed political shelter in the U.S. Since the Communist takeover, though, the U.S. has become haven to more than 150,000 Vietnamese.

Then there is Chile. Thousands of residents have fled that country since imposition of a military government in 1973. Many of the exiles have asked for asylum in America, and the United Nations has urged all nations to help out; yet the U.S. has granted legal residence status to only a handful of the applicants. But of all the examples, Haitian activists in Miami say their own nation is the most revealing.

According to figures compiled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, nearly 500 Haitian refugees have landed in Florida in the last three years. Of these, all but about 60 have been shipped back home. "60b ONLY knows what happens to them when they get there," says Jean Bart Rulx. "We expect some may be killed. That should not be surprising.

I myself am a refugee from Haiti, and the reason I left was for my own safety. Four years ago, my father disappeared. Just disappeared. That's the way it is on the island." U.S. officials do not agree that returned Haitians face danger.

Edward Sweeney, INS director for this region, says that State Department people sometimes accompany the Haitians home "just to make sure." American authorities who accompanied the Guantanamo exiles to Haiti say the returnees were treated well. "Sweeney says Haiti "is not Russia." He says in fact that "politics have very little to do with the Haitian refugee situation." Sweeney believes most Haitians who come to America are looking for an economic rather than a political haven: "They want work, and that is not a valid reason to allow them residency." Haitian activists do not deny that exiles are looking for jobs. Raymond Ramirez, who "escaped from Haiti two years ago," says poverty is part of the repression back home: "A common laborer makes less than $1.50 a day. Meanwhile President Jean Claude Duvalier lives like a king, with millions in the banks." PRESIDENT Duvalier is of course the son of former Haitian despot Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier. The father died ABOVE ALL WHITE'S ROOFING PH.

342-0185 CUP THIS GIFT COUPON GOOD THRU Dec. 3rd, 1977 Any Combination Gift Purchases of $20 or More! Shoea-Boott-Sllppers-Bags Galore! bowmans 214 E. Main in 1971. U.S. authorities believe the son is less of a tyrant; Haitian exiles say Baby Doc is not as overtly savage as was his father, but he still follows the same formula for maintaining permanent power.

Refugees say political debate is not allowed in Haiti. Rulx says the elections are eyewash. As for Duvalier himself, the exiles tell horror stories of him gleefully driving his car into helpless pedestrians. 1 Appllaa to Rtgular Priced Mdaa. Only One Coupon Allowed Per Purchase Qalesburg MICKEY ROLLER COASTER 3rd £rj TENNIS HANDBALL RQAB RACE SET wrmi JAM CAR RACE SET jAIALAI Charlie's angels MONEY MASK A Ceargt TRICKS AmjANCIS hnldtedpodief IYB1 Wolverine I 1 4 MILTON 1 ROCK 'N ROLL eeu ri ft 4 Remember' Everyone toy id is our id in toy newspaper ad or circular within 3 days alter it appears and that the price you II pay at CIRCUS WORLD' 344-2913-G ALES BURG RUT TOY STORES All OVER ILLINOIS I master charge Sears ft COOKMfi AT SEARS hi -a 1 Aak About Sears Credit Plan i-iV CROCK UJATCHEft 0 SAVE on Doughnut Maker Regular 19.99 Make hot, fresh doughnuts anytime with this handy cooker that fries two delicious doughnuts at once! Includes a non-stick, easy-clean coating.

SAVE 5 on Sears Pizzamaker Regular $19.99 Bake a delicious 12-inch pizza fast and easy! Ideal for dorm parties, late night snacking. Make your own combination or use a pizza mix. c. Blender, Jar Kit Included While Quantities Last 5-cup glass jar, speeds from soup (puree) to nuts (chop), plus 12 other speeds including instant-blend. With 2 blend and store jars.

d. SAVE 3, 10-Cup Coffeemaker Regular $18.97 Savory drip coffee is brewed at just the right temperature, then filtered to remove oils and sediments. Brews 2 to 10 cups! 25 filters included. SAVE 4-qt. Crockery Cooker Regular Prepare ingredients in the morning and come home to a hot, ready-to-serve meal.

Automatic heat control, removable stoneware vessel. With recipes. Sale December 21th Sears Satt (iuuruntt'fii or Your Hoik HLAHS KOtHI I AMI Where America shops for GIFTS OF VALUE SANDBURG MALL Illinois Phone 344-2121.