Chapter 401
Translator: crow
Chapter 401
Chapter Title: Original Sin
Washington was deep in thought over the Haitian coup.
Support the coup forces.
Or don't.
There seemed to be two options, but only one was feasible right now.
It was because of America's original sin.
"Our government must officially take a stance opposing the coup."
For starters, the United States aligned with the international community's 'common sense' and condemned the coup.
"The Haitian coup is a criminal act that defies international norms. We will suspend relations with Port-au-Prince on a temporary basis until the Haitian government is restored."
That said, they made it clear that 'dialogue' was necessary to resolve the issue.
"We must consider reality. If we impose excessive sanctions to topple the coup regime, the Haitian people will bear the full brunt of the suffering."
By emphasizing dialogue, the U.S. left room to shift its position.
Of course, that didn't mean they could flip their stance overnight.
"We absolutely cannot act alone on the Haiti issue. That could lead to suspicions that we're behind this coup."
The State Department stressed that Washington must not move unilaterally.
"So what do you suggest?"
"We need to coordinate with allies like France and the UK."
Washington found the State Department's reasoning sound.
The U.S. government sent instructions to Paris and London, requesting cooperation on the matter.
London and Paris responded differently to the U.S. request.
"The Anglo-Saxon brothers need to stick together. Tell them we're on board."
The UK pledged cooperation, but France was lukewarm.
"It's obvious the Americans orchestrated this coup, and now Korea's flipping out. If we get involved and face retaliation, who's taking responsibility?"
And France had no business sticking its nose into the Haiti mess anyway.
France had colonized Haiti.
France had re-invaded the independent Haiti and strangled it with economic sanctions.
France had forced it into submission and then sucked the country dry for over a century under the guise of reparations.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say 99% of Haiti's ruin stemmed from France.
What good would come of Paris, burdened with that original sin, opening its mouth on Haiti?
It might just stir up old wounds unnecessarily.
Considering this, France subtly signaled to the U.S. that it wanted no part.
"Wouldn't it look bad if it's just us and the Brits getting involved?"
Even so, they needed at least one more major power to play along.
"Let's bring in West Germany."
West Germany needed U.S. support on unification issues.
It was perfect for a supporting role.
And so, the United States signaled its intent to mediate the Haitian crisis alongside West Germany and the UK.
"Let's resolve this peacefully through talk."
"Peacefully through talk?"
Korea, which was protecting President Aristide, didn't even bother listening.
Korea declared that sanctions would not be lifted unless the legitimate leader, President Aristide, was restored to power.
"Why are you being so extreme?"
"These guys surrounded our embassy—do you seriously think we negotiate with people who don't know basic protocol? We're not interested in talks, so drop the negotiation nonsense."
Korea even set up a government-in-exile headed by President Aristide, vowing to keep shaking Haiti to the end.
"Sanctions alone aren't the answer when the power on the ground has changed."
"Good point. Then why don't you disband the governments-in-exile for the Baltic states occupied by the Soviets? If Washington takes that step, we'll pull back too."
"Why bring up the Baltics out of nowhere?"
Raising the Baltics was meant to make clear there would be no compromise.
Korea refused to budge an inch on mediation.
The U.S. mediation attempt fell flat.
'But we can't just walk away now.'
Defeat for the coup regime meant a return to the status quo.
That could push a threatened Haiti to do something even crazier than deploying Sky Bows.
While Washington hemmed and hawed, Korea's sanctions began to bite.
"COSCO International has withdrawn, but they haven't sold off their assets. We won't allow those farms and facilities to operate without our permission."
COSCO's shutdown of its massive plantations and mines in Haiti threw over 300,000 workers into unemployment.
COSCO wasn't the only Korean firm to pull out.
Seven conglomerates, including Geundae Mart, shuttered their operations.
The common thread: they left the assets intact, just locked the gates.
"This is what we're gonna do—what now?"
Haiti's economy, already on life support from U.S. sanctions, took a direct hit.
While rattling Haiti this way, Korea proposed to the UN a multinational force to 'restore' democracy.
"We're in favor."
The Soviets naturally sided with Korea.
"Absurd! Armed intervention in a sovereign state is out of the question!"
The UK and U.S. opposed it.
This created a bizarre spectacle.
The 'Operation to Preserve Democracy' for restoring democracy was proposed and supported by authoritarian regimes Korea and the USSR, while democratic nations the U.S. and UK opposed it.
With permanent Security Council members UK and U.S. voting no, the resolution failed.
But this only made the U.S. look even more ridiculous.
"The leader of democracy, outdone by dictators."
Even Europe was mocking them, so the U.S. decided to pivot on the Haiti coup.
"How about offering a quick transition to civilian rule?"
The coup regime rejected the White House compromise.
"Absolutely not."
Why hand over a regime they'd just seized to civilians?
The U.S. coaxed and cajoled the Haitians.
"Your concern is post-handover guarantees, right? We'll handle that with aid funds on our end."
Take the money and embezzle it for your retirement.
The coup leaders pondered the U.S. compromise.
"If we keep eating these Korean sanctions, the country will implode. Better to grab a lifeboat and bail at this point, no?"
Even the coup regime could read the warning signs.
"Let's float a counter-proposal."
The coup regime's compromise was soon sent to the embassies of the UK, U.S., Korea, and USSR.
Korea scoffed at the coup's offer.
'Who do they think doesn't see through them?'
The U.S. game was obvious.
Extend the coup regime's lifespan temporarily, then groom a pro-U.S. one in its shadow.
As former dominators of Haiti, the Americans could easily find loyal pro-U.S. figures.
'And no guarantee the elections would be fair.'
Just suppress Aristide's Lavalas movement, and a pro-U.S. win was assured.
Even the last election hadn't been a cakewalk for Aristide.
Korea rejected the compromise.
"No compromise. Full restoration of the current government. Nothing else is acceptable."
Korea stuck to its hardline: nothing short of Aristide's return.
"Who's gonna accept terms like that?"
The coup regime, seeing no deal with Korea, hardened its stance.
"Fine, then we'll seize Korean assets and force them back online. Don't think you're the only ones with extreme options!"
The Haitian regime threatened Korea.
"These punks lost their fear because we've been too nice."
Korea acted immediately.
News of the Korean Navy heading into the Atlantic prompted U.S. pressure on Haiti.
"Don't provoke Pyongyang too far."
If Korea used asset seizure as a pretext to attack Haiti, the U.S. would struggle to respond.
Risking nuclear war with Korea over Haiti wasn't worth it.
"Remember, you're dealing with a dictatorship. Pyongyang will do anything if pushed."
Only then did Haiti step back.
"Asset seizure was just talk. We don't want relations with Korea to deteriorate that far either."
The Korea-Haiti standoff narrowly avoided direct confrontation.
Pyongyang kept up the threats toward Port-au-Prince, undeterred.
The Foreign Ministry doubted the effectiveness.
"Threats like this won't make the Haitians back down."
Bae Seong-jun knew that too.
"You'll see."
The U.S. kept slamming the brakes every time Korea escalated.
Korea meticulously documented every instance of the U.S. aiding Haiti and pushing mediation.
Two months later, they released their dossier to the world.
"Those guys keep siding with the Haitian rebels. Isn't the U.S. behind this one too? Suspicious how they keep defending the Haitians."
The reasonable suspicion(?) that the U.S. orchestrated the coup spread openly in international circles.
Even Americans began doubting their own government.
"Washington's got a long rap sheet of this stuff."
Korea wouldn't let America's original sin slide.
Pyongyang quietly fanned suspicions by dredging up U.S.-linked or potentially linked coups.
"That's why they say guilty consciences make cowards."
The U.S. vehemently denied the allegations, but that only fueled more doubt.
There was no hard evidence of U.S. involvement, but that's how the world worked.
If everyone believed guilt, it was guilt.
Pyongyang smirked as America took another hit to its reputation.
"At this rate of gains, losing Haiti isn't a big loss."
Americans might overvalue the knife at their throat, but Korea didn't.
Haiti was too far for Korean influence anyway.
No great loss if it slipped away.
So Korea ignored mediation and dragged things out.
The longer it went, the worse America's image got—hardly a bad deal for Korea.
Korea's dictator played the long game on Haiti with this calculus.
For how long?
Until Korea reaped enough benefits.