Although it was the Department of Stateâ??s job to coordinate the departure of General Cedras, Ambassador Swing asked that I take the lead since I had a working relationship with Cedras. I immediately called Cedras and we agreed to meet at his home.
Tony Ladouceur and I arrived at Cedrasâ??s palatial home and were met at the door by Yannick, his wife, who guided us into the expansive living room. As General Cedras emerged, Yannick excused herself and we got right down to business.
I informed the general that as soon as he changed command with interim commander Major General Jean- Claude Duperval the following day, I could no longer guarantee his safety, so I strongly suggested that it would be in his best interestâ?? and that of his familyâ??to leave Haiti immediately. We were prepared to offer him and his family transportation to the country of his choice and pay him for the loss of his home on the island.
â??This is my home, it is my country. I canâ??t leave, Yannick would kill me,â? he immediately shot back. This confirmed the intell I had received that he was terrified of his wife and deferred to her on most issues.
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