The State Department's Roger Noriega says the U.S. did not intervene while Aristide was in power because that was too dangerous for its forces.

BY FRANK DAVIES

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration decided not to intervene ''and put American lives at risk'' in Haiti while Jean-Bertrand Aristide was still in power because he was ''erratic, irresponsible'' and could not be trusted, Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega told Congress Wednesday.

''It was a difficult decision, but we made the right one,'' he told the House Western Hemisphere subcommittee.

At an emotional, sometimes bitter, hearing about U.S. policy in Haiti policy, Noriega also said several times that the United States is committed to disarming the rebel groups that took over much of the country and keeping them out of a future government.

''We have told them to lay down their arms -- we're doing that now,'' Noriega said. He referred to Guy Philippe's rebel forces as ``criminal gangs.''

But angry House Democrats said Noriega and other Bush officials had betrayed Aristide's democratically elected government and encouraged the armed rebels to drive Aristide from power while tolerating their violence.

''The Americas are watching as this administration again turned its back on a democracy,'' Rep. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said, noting that elected leaders had been driven from power in Bolivia, Argentina and Ecuador.

Noriega bristled at the criticism: ``These countries aren't watching, they're helping, and to compare them to Haiti and Aristide is an insult to Latin American leaders.''

Menendez shot back: ``I don't appreciate the insolent characterization of my remarks. I resent it.''

But the most emotionally charged exchange came over an important issue in South Florida -- the repatriation and deportation of Haitians back to the island while the crisis worsened in recent weeks.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Miami Republican, asked Assistant Secretary of State Arthur Dewey, who handles refugee issues, to support ''temporary protected status'' for Haitians so they would not be deported to ``the tumultuous situation right now.''

''Now is not the time to change, because the situation is too fluid,'' Dewey replied.

Rep. Robert Wexler, a Palm Beach Democrat, said he was ''incredulous'' over that response.

He recalled that Noriega had just pointed out and praised Pierre-Marie Paquiot, the university president whose legs were broken by pro-Aristide thugs, in his wheelchair in the front row.

''You can't parade some people, like this man whose legs were crushed, and continue the current policy of sending other people back so their lives could be ruined,'' Wexler said.

Noriega said those fleeing who could show a ''credible fear of persecution'' would get a hearing.

''How many more Haitians have to die?'' shouted Wexler, his face reddening.

''Is there a level that has to be reached'' before temporary protected status is granted, he asked.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus accused Noriega and other officials of working behind the scenes to force Aristide to leave while giving lip service to his government's legitimacy.

''This administration has American and Haitian blood on its hands,'' said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y.