Aristide’s claim he was “kidnapped” reiterates the ever-present eagerness to blame America.

As usual, something happens in another country and it’s merely routine to blame the United States.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide as president of Haiti was under severe duress and, realizing he had no choice, went into exile in the Central African Republic. Did he make the move because his nation was involved in a violent bloodbath that might well include him? No. It was because the “manipulative” United States “kidnapped” him to orchestrate the situation for its advantage.

Never mind that human rights groups say Aristide has been ruling by intimidation, cronyism and violence and may have had some of his political foes murdered. Many familiar with the Haitian scene accuse Aristide of corruption that includes the personal pocketing of millions of dollars in drug money.

Rebellion was under way again in Haiti, and Aristide faced an uncertain future. How long before rebels slaughtered him and those around him? If he didn’t see the handwriting on the wall, others, including U.S. advisers, did. It was clear that if Aristide was to continue breathing, he needed to leave. He had to be hoping to be “kidnapped” to safety.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell used diplomatic language to say that Aristide is delusional and is lying. But that has not convinced or silenced a single soul eager to harpoon America for anything that can be dredged up. Powell rightfully expressed doubts about whether the Aristide successors will do much good in the greatly troubled nation.

But by fleeing to the safety of Africa, and saying he was snatched and moved, Aristide can come off as the heroic type who would have stayed and faced the music regardless of the risk. He was desperate to save his own skin, and the United States was a convenient scapegoat for his “evasive action” to avoid a murderous mob.

The United Nations Security Council decided to send a U.S.-led multinational force to try to restore order in Haiti, and there have been some encouraging signs. However, since the United States is involved, it will be chastised for anything perceived as failure.

How bad is the leftover situation in Haiti? There continues to be support for Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier from the family that specialized in death squads to keep people in line and fill their own pockets. Duvalier in exile in Miami says he will gladly return to power. Just how bad are things when that can even be considered?

The Guardian of London provides more fuel for the fire of U.S. criticism with:

“The international community offers sound bites of hand-wringing sympathy for Haiti but is all too happy to leave the nation-building to someone else (hint, America). What should happen is clear. Haiti should be considered a stain on the conscience of its former colonial masters, America and France, which spent much of the last two centuries invading it, punishing it or isolating it.”

France supposedly will be involved in the U.S. operation to restore order but whatever goes wrong, will it be held accountable? Not as long as the United States is available to take the blame.