On February 29, ousted President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled Haiti for the Central African Republic. He later said he was forced into exile by the United States which chartered the private jet. Stabroek News asked the man and woman in the street about this situation's implications for Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean Community.

Kiven Pierre, Queen's College Student: 'I think that at the start of the problem he (Aristide) should have consulted with Caricom. I feel that the move could bring degradation to the Caribbean community. Even if he had to get out of the country he should have gone to another Caricom country. It is as if we in the Caribbean are still under colonisation. The developed countries are still influencing some of our decisions. The fact that Caricom countries have to depend on these Western nations has a lot to do with the situation. I think that there is the possibility of Aristide going back to his country but it would take lots of consultation for that to happen peacefully.'

Terrence Hoyte, vendor: 'I believe that the United States ran him out of the country. (George W.) Bush is a serious man. Look what he did to Saddam (Hussein). Compared to Haiti, Guyana is a small country but with what is going on, we might reach that stage before long. I don't think that it is making sense for Haiti to be a member of Caricom, since Caricom could not do anything to prevent Aristide from going into exile. The Caricom nations are heavily dependent on the United States for assistance.'

Shameeza Alli, grocer: 'I don't believe that what happened in Haiti can happen in this country. I think that the United States had a right to protect its people inside Haiti. If the Haitian people feel that he should leave because he is not serving the people, then he should. I don't think that Caricom has been very effective in the Haitian situation.'

Telston Prince, student: 'I heard that President Aristide was kidnapped by the United States [Marines] but they should keep their nose out of that country's affairs. I don't know if the kidnapping story is true, but that country should be allowed to work out its own problems. It may not make much sense for Caricom to go against the United States on Haiti because if it does, much would not be achieved. If Caricom wants to achieve anything then it has to join forces with the United States. If the same situation that occurred in Haiti occurs in this country then I believe that the same thing can happen. We have to come together in Guyana to make a change. And for this I think that Caricom should play a major role in resolving the situation. I don't believe that Haiti should have become a member of Caricom, but even so Caricom has to play a vital role in attempting to solve Haiti's problems.'

Edward McLean, artist: 'The problem seemed to be that the people were not pleased with their president. I feel that if the Americans put Aristide in power then they could take him out. If you want change you have to look at what you have and try to change that. Sometimes you find that change is not always good. As far as Caricom is concerned, I support the idea of regional integration in theory, but I know that in practice it is not that easy. If we can do what we say on paper, things would be different. Haiti is a liability to the other Caricom countries but we could try to help them out. Maybe in a few years Haiti would be able to give back something to the rest of Caricom in return.

Ravi Persaud, labour: 'The actions of the Americans were not right. Aristide should have stepped down of his own free will. But I believe that moving from the island was a wise choice. Caricom's hands are tied; they can't row with the Americans over their actions. It is hardly likely that such a situation can develop in Guyana.'

Sandra, receptionist: 'The rebels wanted him out because of the way that he treated his people. It would have been made worse if he had stayed there. If he was indeed kidnapped as he claimed after his arrival in the Central African Republic, then there needs to be an investigation as to what really happened. The Americans always say that they are going to protect their people but they end up getting involved.'

Christine Chookang, student: 'I don't think that the Haitian president should have been made to leave. He should have seen this situation coming and put measures in place to arrest it. Even from an early stage Caricom could have gotten involved.'

Ray Lacruz, student: 'The people didn't want him in power, but if the Americans forced him out, as he is claiming, then that would not be a good thing. What happened in Haiti could happen in any other Caricom country.'

Dana McLeod, unemployed: 'He is the president and should not have been moved. He should have remained and faced the difficulties in his country with a view to working them out. Even at an early stage he could have sought help from Caricom. I think that the Americans had a right to go and to protect their staff at the embassy. I don't believe that the United States had a role in the president's removal. If he is the president then nobody can force him to move or to go anywhere. I think that Guyana's situation can get as bad as that of Haiti's sooner or later.'