We honor his memory by republishing some of his words.
http://www.doerswisconsin.org/files/haiti/graves.htm <p align=justify>DOERS received this communication from Haiti Reborn (www.haitireborn.org), who received it from a contact of theirs in Haiti. We post it for your information (March 3, 2004).
FROM FATHER MICHAEL GRAVES IN HAITI
Dear Friends,
This message is mainly addressed to two contact persons in the USA State Government; the two names listed first. I am sending copies to you so that you will have a better idea of what is going on in Haiti, and who has caused it.<p align=justify><b>Dear Messrs. Tilghman and Connell,
Greetings to you from Haiti on this MOST un
happy day. Pressure from the USA...a supposed bastion of democracy, has finally caused the fall of the fragile democracy in Haiti. Action by the USA has finally allowed the murderous thugs of the rebel army in the north of our country to rejoice in believing that they have won; that they have caused President Aristide to leave. I can't believe that MY country (I am a US citizen and have been an Orthodox missionary priest in Haiti for 18 years!) has used its brute force to topple the elected president of Haiti. I simply can't believe it! This is a sad day for me, and it will prove to be an extremely sad day for the USA since they will be blamed for the catastrophe, not only by Haitians, but by supporters of democracy throughout the world.
Fortunately for me, I am well-known in Haiti by the Haitians and they will not associate my US citizenship with the recent activities of the US Government. But, believe me, for the first time in my life (which is 69 years) I am embarrassed and somewhat ashamed of
being associated with the present government of the USA.
There are many persons in the USA that are opposed to numerous activities by their government, but they have not risen as rebels, nor called upon a foreign government to help them rid the country of President Bush. There are serious questions regarding the validity of Bush's election, but there has not been an attempt to overthrow him. (Even though many would support such a move!) The US A is a supposed democracy, and in a democracy the voice of the people; the voice of the majority rules the day. We must wait for the end of the term of George Bush to be rid of him; we cannot merely "push him out".
But believe me, this "one-term" President Bush will go down in history as not only having gained his position under much questioning and suspicion, but as the one who accepted and believed much information which was slanted and biased. (eg: WMD's in Iraq and the unpopularity of Aristide in Haiti.)
Believe me, my friends, the U
S government has made a serious error today. It has allowed the murderers and convicted thugs to "win their battle", and there will be bloodshed, one way or another. Maybe there are those in Secretary Powell's crowd that believe they have saved Haiti from a bloodbath, but they will soon see that they were terribly incorrect. I live in one of the safer areas and the shooting and looting has already begun. I could not get out to conduct church services this morning because of thugs running up and down in front of our house firing rifles. Some of the faithful members of our congregation were scared and had to take cover and run home. This has been caused by the USA as a result of its acting on false information from those who wish to continue their illicit activities under thre protection of the Haitian government....and now under the protection of the US Government!
To put it succinctly: THE USA HAS PULLED A COUP D'ETAT ON HAITI! Other coups (and I have lived through many)in Haiti were pulled by opp
osition politicians and military leaders, but this one was pulled by the US Government.
Shame, shame. Many human lives will be lost as a result of this coup, and the blame is on your shoulders.
Father Michael Graves in Haiti
"I don't know what's going on, but we are just as much as part of this coup d'etat as the rebels, looters or anyone else,'' Rangel, D-N.Y., said on ABC's "This Week.''
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., said that in a country "where a true democracy has recently emerged after decades of autocratic rule,'' the elected president "has been pushed out by an administration anxious to get rid of him.''
