Howard Dicus: In Africa...
Unknown Speaker: “The shooting took place at a busy round about near Mogadishu’s main hotel.”
Announcer: US troops strife-ridden Somalia as 1994 began, but pulled out after this episode.
Unknown Speaker: “It is not yet clear why the American troops opened fire, but some reports speak of a crowd gathering at a food distribution center possibly blocking the route of an American convoy.”
Announcer: Americans were more welcome in the Caribbean where they basically invaded the nation of Haiti to ensure the General Raoul Cédras finally handed power over to the elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. There were spots of resistance.
Armando Trull: “Military police are opening up on a building trying to get access, there are people bleeding.”
Announcer: UPI's Armando Trull on the scene.
Armando Trull: “US troops are moving into where they believe the gunman is hiding. A gunman who may have killed some people. They are lighting up that building, dozens of troops going in.”
Announcer: But Aristide was able to return to Haiti and take power, leaving Haitians dancing in the streets. Literally singing the praises of Americans for restoring democracy.
Announcer: Haiti was luckier than Mexico. Leading Presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio told supporters, we will work for a better day for Mexico, and no one can stop us.
Minutes later he was assassinated. His Campaign Manager was elected Mexico's President.
This was the sound of refugee housing being built at the US Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1994. After Fidel Castro hinted at a new boatlift of refugees to Florida. Attorney General Janet Reno said forget it.
Janet Reno: “These rafters will not come to the United States.”
Announcer: One of the most gruesome stories of 1994 came from the Central African nation of Rwanda where this BBC correspondent described evidence of genocide floating down the river.
BBC Reporter: “And the experience has been that every three minutes there has been a body going by.”
Announcer: But in South Africa Nelson Mandela smiled with pleasure as free elections were held with a minimum of violence.
Nelson Mandela: “We’ll show everyone how much we love our country, how much we love our people, how much we love peace.”
Announcer: Those elections made Nelson Mandela the democratically elected President of South Africa.
And then there was the case of Michael Fay, a young man caught vandalizing cars in Singapore where the punishment for that is caning.
Unknown Speaker: “A tyrannical despicable dictatorship that shows no, no, absolutely no compassion and they show absolutely no concern for human dignity.”
Announcer: His lawyers protests not withstanding Michael Fay got his caning. Singapore than booted his butt back to Ohio. This is The Year In Review from United Press International.
