Haiti: Letter The New York Times Refused to Print Responding to "Mixed U.S. Signals Helped Tilt Haiti Toward Chaos"

International Republican Institute
February 2, 2006
In response to the three page, 7,745-word article, "Mixed U.S. Signals Helped Tilt Haiti Toward Chaos" that appeared in The News York Times, the International Republican Institute submitted a 183-word Letter to the Editor. The Times refused to print the letter as submitted and went so far as to edit the substantive content of the letter. Below we have provided both letters so you, the reader, can see for yourself. --------------------------------------------

First, in working with The New York Times to print the Letter to the Editor, IRI originally included the sentence, "Bogdanich managed to find support for some of Curran's allegations amongst a small number of Haitians, all of whom spent years on former President Aristide's payroll or are accused death squad leaders." In editing that sentence The Times stated, "The News Department disputes the accuracy of 'support for some of Mr. Curran's allegations among a small number of Haitians, all of whom spent years on former President Aristide's payroll or are accused death squad leaders.'" Accuracy notwithstanding, The New York Times does not have the right to edit the substantive content of an individual's Letter to the Editor. ----------------

Second, IRI also included the sentence, "You also neglected to mention that Curran's predecessors and successors in Haiti praised IRI's programs; you even cropped Curran's predecessor (appointed by President Clinton) out of a photo with IRI officials." The Times completely removed any mention of the cropped photo. -------------------------------------

Third, IRI stated, "You neglected to mention that Colin Powell contradicted a basic tenet of your story when he told you he didn't accept your view that he differed with his Assistant Secretaries over Haiti policy." However, The Times changed the sentence so drastically that it no longer conveys that sentiment. The Times version reads, "Contrary to a suggestion in the article of two American policies in Haiti, there was only one policy. Indeed, as you wrote: 'Colin L. Powell, the secretary of state at the time, said that the American policy in Haiti was what Mr. Curran believed it to be, and that the United States stood by Mr. Aristide until the last few days of his presidency.'"

Lorne W. Craner, President, International Republican Institute