Impoverished and corrupt, Haiti nonetheless had a democratically elected President, Jean Bertrand Aristede. A mini-revolution against him, led by a drug dealing police chief, has placed this destitute country at the center of another international firestorm. But, beyond the trauma still gripping this tiny country is the question of the United States' role in Aristede's departure. Was it one of skullduggery or rescue?

President Aristede claimed, in an interview with Democracy Now, that he was kidnapped by U.S. troops and forced into exile in the Central African Republic. A delegation of Americans who tried to meet with Aristede was not allowed to enter the palace, which is either his refuge or his prison. Armed men threatened international reporters attending the CAR Foreign Minister's press conference about Aristede. If Aristede is in the CAR by his own choice, why would these repressive measures be necessary?

The Bush Administration hotly denies the kidnapping allegations, saying that President Aristede voluntarily resigned as President of Haiti and sought exile. Aristede claims he was forced by US officials to sign the resignation document. Fueling the fire, Vice President Dick Cheney called Aristede's accusations "ridiculous" and added that the Haitian President had "overstayed his welcome" in Haiti.

It looks like President Bush and company have blundered into another nasty international fracas. And, this one has serious implications for our country, so outspokenly committed to democratization around the world. President Aristede is not exactly a trustworthy character. Driven out of Haiti once before, United States troops reinstated him to his presidency because he was the democratically elected head of state. But, President Aristede's leadership has been inept and corrupt, keeping his people in devastating poverty. Nonetheless, he was elected President of Haiti yet again by a majority of voters.

But, then, Vice President Cheney is none too believable, either. He's the man who keeps referring to al-Qaeda ties to Saddam Hussein, though those claims have been discredited, even by President Bush. He also can't refrain from talking about the weapons of mass destruction that led the United States into war with Iraq, even though no weapons have ever been found.

The bigger issue here is whether we really believe in democracy or only in those democracies that meet our fancy. When there was a short-lived coup against President Hugo Chavez, the democratically elected president of Venezuela, the Bush Administration jumped too hastily to support the new government. The coup regime lasted only a few days, embarrassing President Bush and ridiculing our overeager recognition of a Venezuelan government installed by force, not elections.

Neither President Aristede nor President Chavez is a great leader. Both have resorted to demagoguery when required for political survival. Neither has provided political or economic stability to his beleaguered people. But, do we have the right to oust an elected head of state just because he is a lousy leader? By what right do we tell a duly elected president that he has "overstayed his welcome" and therefore deserves to go? And, if what President Aristede charges is true, by what right did we force him to leave his country?

If we are going to promote democracy and democratic values around the world, we must live them at home. Haiti is, indeed, a messy place and a constant irritant to the United States. It deserves better political leadership than it has ever known. But, when an incompetent person is democratically elected to a position of power, the United States, as a global champion of democracy, must support the choice of the voters. We can argue, pressure, cajole and persuade, but we cannot arbitrarily remove a democratically elected leader.

Given the implications of the Haitian tumult--the potential for prolonged and bloody civil strife, the importance of living by our own principles as an example to the world--the US Congress should look into President Aristede's allegations of forcible removal from Haiti. The American people need to know if our government acted honorably or shamefully. We have learned the hard way that cover-ups undermine democracy. Let's make sure we aren't doing that again in full view of the entire world.