Haiti Report for May 3, 2004
Prepared by Haiti Reborn/Quixote Center

The Haiti Report is a compilation and summary of events as described in Haitian and international media. It does not reflect the opinions of Haiti Reborn. This service is intended to give a better understanding of the situation in Haiti by presenting the reader with reports that provide a variety of perspectives on the situation.

IN THIS REPORT:
- U.S. Pressures CARICOM to drop call for investigation and recognize
- new Haitian government
- Fanmi Lavalas speaks of continuing persecution, withholds
- representative from the CEP
- Interim President Boniface Alexandre appoints new departmental
- delegates; Appointment in Delmas leads to protests -
- Rebels wielding de facto power, problems for
- international forces in Hinche
- UN Peacekeeping Mission
- Haitian refugees returned; refugees in Jamaica
- Interim government fires 800 government staff
- Interim government drops reparations demand
- Restoration of the army
- Rebels plan to participate in elections
- Interim government adds to list of Fanmi Lavalas members who cannot
- leave Haiti; announces plan to seize Aristide's accounts
- Bahamas withdraws diplomats from Haiti
- Louis Jodel Chamblain surrenders, human rights organizations skeptical
- UNICEF: Effects of crisis on children
- Meeks' statement on Haiti
- One killed during recruitment for Haitian National Police
- 10th Anniversary of Raboteau Massacre
- Latortue announces development program
- Multinational Forces announce money for weapons program
- Cummings and Foley visit Haiti
- Aristide supporters call for his return
- PAPDA, NCHR and CONAP Demonstrate

U.S. Pressures CARICOM to drop call for investigation and
recognize new Haitian government:
The Caribbean has indefinitely postponed a meeting of its national security ministers with US homeland security secretary, Tom Ridge, because of major differences over Haiti, officials said yesterday. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) secretary-general, Edwin Carrington, said the May 3-4 meeting in the Bahamas will not take place because the 15-member regional bloc does not recognize the new US-backed Haitian interim government. CARICOM has called for a UN investigation of Haitian President Aristide's controversial departure from Haiti on February 29. Aristide says he was forced to resign by the US, which denies the claim. CARICOM has said it will reconsider the issue of recognizing Haiti's interim government in July. But Caribbean leaders may discuss the issue earlier at a regional meeting from May 4-5 in Antigua, Jamaica's foreign minister, KD Knight said on April 27. (AP, 4/28)

Fanmi Lavalas speaks of continuing persecution, withhold representative from the CEP:
Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue accused Fanmi Lavalas (FL) of wanting to block the formation of the new Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). Latortue declared the decree for the formulation of the CEP will soon be given. He gave FL until April 30 to name their representative to the CEP. (AHP, 4/21)

FL reaffirmed on April 26 that it cannot name its official for the CEP as long as the Latortue government has not put an end to the persecutions and aggressions on its members and supporters throughout the country. At a meeting attended by more than a thousand people at the Aristide Foundation for Democracy, the leaders of the party reaffirmed their desire to see democratic elections. (AHP, 4/26)

Interim President Boniface Alexandre appoints new departmental delegates; Appointment in Delmas leads to protests:

Provisional President Alexandre's Head of Cabinet signed the nomination of ten new departmental delegates and three new municipal commissions.
Michel Bernadin - West
Elie Cantave ‚ Artibonite
Margarette Martin ‚ South East
Wilbert Joseph ‚ North
Arnold Jean Louis ‚ North East
Exsersive Servil ‚ Central Plateau
Alain Andre ‚ South
Mombrun J. Anselme ‚ Grande Anse
Henry-Max Thelus ‚ North West
Jamil Vincent ‚ Nippes

Port-au-Prince's municipal commission will be lead by Carline Simon from the former opposition platform. Jean Philippe Sassine and Yanick Mezile will be her assistants. Delmas' municipal council will be presided by Jean Vilfort Prisca and two members, Oreste Julien and Jean Marie Descorbet. Carmelot Guillaume Etinne, Charlienor Thompson and Wilner Benoit Germain will lead the commission in St. Marc. (AHP, 4/27)

The Citizens Union of Delmas (UCD) protested against the way the municipal council of the town was named. According to a spokesperson of the UCD, Paul Emile Adrien, the authorities in place did not respect their commitment towards Delmas' organizations. President of the Council Vilfort Prisca, host of the political show "Ranmase" on Radio Caraibes, is not a resident of Delmas and therefore cannot lead the town, Adrien declared. He also announced a sit in protest at the Delmas Town Hall. Prisca insisted on April 27 that he has been living in the town of Delmas with his wife for some time. (AHP, 4/27)

Rebels wielding de facto power, problems for international forces in Hinche:
Members of the population in Hinche demonstrated on April 21 to protest against the presence of the multination force in the region. The ex-rebels were asked to give up the police stations, give their uniforms up and officials hand over power to a contingent of Chilean soldiers. This demonstrated great panic in the town. Members of the population considered that the rebels should play a part in this government since they were of great use to them. The ex-rebels declared that they had no intention of joining in the national police since they represented the army of Haiti, and it was a constitutional force. (AHP, 4/21)

The members of the former opposition at Gonaives led an attack on the city's police station on April 25. During this intervention, the 20-man commando disarmed police officers, freed prisoners and stole vehicles from the police station's yard. Many prisoners said they feared for their lives, since it was incredibly easy for the commando to invade the police station. The officers at the Gonaives police station said they had never imagined this kind of thing would keep happening after President Aristide's departure. (AHP, 4/26)

Ex-rebels in the Central Plateau gave a serious warning on 4/27 against the deployment of police officers in the department. According to them, they are the only ones who can ensure the population's security appropriately. The former militaries, who said they were angry after the arrest of six of their comrades in Port-au-Prince, declared that any decision to deploy national policemen in the area would be perilous. Their spokesperson in the department, Joseph Jean Baptiste, had reaffirmed last week his men's refusal to put down arms and join the national police. At the same time, he announced the former militaries' intention to participate in the next elections at all levels. Ex-rebel leader in the Artibonite, Winter Etienne, also announced the intention to participate in elections. (AHP, 4/27)

UN Peacekeeping Mission:

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his country would command the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti as long as there was an "effective commitment" from the international community for "reconstruction" of the Caribbean nation. Last month, Brazil said it would send 1,100 troops to contribute to the second phase of the UN operation in Haiti and agreed to command the multinational forces that will also include troops from the US, Canada, France, Argentina and Chile. (Xinhuanet, 4/20)

Haiti remains volatile and crime is on the rise two months after deployment of a US-led multinational peacekeeping force to help restore order there, the United Nations reported. Contacts between the multinational force and Haitian armed groups "show that stability has not yet been reached, as these groups do not want to disarm and are waiting for compensation or official recognition," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest Situation Report. About 25,000 people in the country have weapons, according to a survey conducted by the Organization of American States and the UN Development Program. The force has improved security but its small size of 3700 soldiers limits its impact, the report said, noting the US sent 20,000 troops into Haiti in 1994 to restore President Aristide to power after a coup. (Reuters, 4/29)

Just a month before its deadline, the UN finds itself hard-pressed to sign up peacekeeping troops and French-speaking police officers to take over security in Haiti from an American-led interim force, UN officials and diplomats say. The Security Council is considering a request by Secretary General Kofi Annan to send 6,700 peacekeepers and 1,622 civilian police officers to Haiti. Although the US led interim force has managed to impose a modicum of stability, diplomats express concern that large parts of the country remain under the rebels' control, and that there has been no systematic effort to disarm them. One problem is competition for French-speaking peacekeepers, as missions are prepared for Ivory Coast and Burundi this year, UN representatives said. In addition, some potential contributors are reluctant to offer troops because of lingering doubts about the conditions of Mr. Aristide's departure, on Feb. 29: he was assisted into exile by American officials in an incident he later referred to as kidnapping. The Bush administration denies this, saying it acted to safeguard Mr. Aristide from attack and to avert a rebel takeover. "The big problem they have is the controversy over Aristide's departure," said a senior diplomat who is involved in the negotiations. "It remains a cancer, and it tends to limit support." The countries that currently have troops in Haiti have signaled their willingness to stay under the new mandate, and Brazil has said it would take part. A Canadian official said French-speaking nations in Africa had been asked to join in, and he said he was optimistic that the UN would reach its goal of more than doubling the interim force. In a report last week, Annan noted that his efforts to raise even small amounts of money for Haiti had fallen short, with the response to his appeal for $35 million in emergency assistance "slower than anticipated." (New York Times, 4/30)

The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to establish a peacekeeping force for Haiti. The new mission will have more than 8,000 troops and police, who will go for an initial period of six months. It will take over from a contingent of US-led foreign troops sent after the rebellion ousted former President Jean Bertrand Aristide in February. The UN force, including more than 1,600 police, is to take over the task of stabilising Haiti from 1 June. The UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti - to be known as Minustah - will have a wide-ranging mandate. Its tasks will include maintaining law and order, aiding the government to demobilise armed groups and protecting civilians from violence. It will also help the transitional government restructure the police and organise elections at the earliest possible date - expected to be some time in 2005. The BBC's Susannah Price at the UN says it is thought that Brazil, Chile and other Latin American countries will contribute peacekeepers. (BBC, 4/30)

Haitian refugees returned; Refugees in Jamaica:
The US sent 651 Haitians back to Haiti on April 27 after they were intercepted in overloaded sailing vessels off the coast of Haiti. The three vessels that carried them were destroyed. A total of 1948 Haitians have been interdicted and returned so far in 2004, Coast Guard officials said. The numbers have already surpassed those of the two previous years: 1490 in 2003 and 1287 in 2002. The Haitians returned on 4/27 were dropped off in Port-au-Prince by a Coast Guard cutter. (AP, 4/27)

Jamaica appealed for assistance from the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) after 130 more Haitian boat people arrived on the island, putting additional pressure on the island to deal with the Haitian refugee problem. The latest arrivals pushed to 491 the number of Haitians to have made the perilous 100-mile journey in small overcrowded boats since the influx began in February. "We expect financial support from UNHCR by the end of the week," said Foreign Minister KD Knight. (Jamaica Observer, 4/27)

Interim government fires 800 government staff:
A US-backed interim government announced plans to fire or transfer nearly 800 people who used to work for Aristide in the presidential palace. Only 125 of 620 security officials at the palace would be retained, and another 272 administrative employees would be fired, cabinet director Michel Brunache said overnight, without giving reasons for the dismissals and transfers. (AP, 4/26)

Interim government drops reparations demand:
Haiti's new US-backed leader said he had dropped a "ridiculous" demand by ex-President Aristide for France to return $22 billion he said the Caribbean nation was forced to pay its colonial masters after gaining independence in 1804. Aristide had launched a vigorous campaign to get back 90 million gold francs Haiti paid Paris in reparations after its slaves drove out the French. At today's values with interest, this is now worth about $22 billion. "This claim was illegal, ridiculous and was made only for political reasons," Latortue told Reuters. "This matter is closed. What we need now is increased cooperation with France that could help us build roads, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure." (Reuters, 4/18)

Restoration of the army:
A key justification of the US intervention in Haiti has been to build respect for the rule of law in a country destabilized by extreme partisanship and by recourse to violence rather than dialogue to settle differences. That aim, however, is being imperiled by uneven enforcement of criminal law, and by signs pointing to a possible restoration of the country's murderous army. General James Hill, commander of US forces in Haiti, recently said: "There is no need for a Haitian Army. I was here when President Aristide disbanded it, and that was the correct thing to do at the time." Hill's civilian bosses should heed his sound advice rather than that of the Haitian elite. The Bush administration should also issue immediate orders to detain former soldiers, officers, and paramilitaries charged with, or convicted of, taking part in political assassinations and massacres. As it turns out, many were deported from the US to Haiti to face justice, but were either released or escaped from prison during the revolt against Aristide. Without even handed justice and security policies in Haiti, trust and stability will remain sadly out of reach. (Andre Reding in the International Herald Tribune, 4/17)

Ex-rebels of the Central Plateau, most of whom are former militaries, announced on 4/22 their intention to participate in elections on all levels. They declared that they strategically withdrew while waiting to get their retirement pension. Spokesperson of the former militaries in this department, Joseph Jean Baptiste, reaffirmed that his men refuse to put down their arms and join in the national police. "They invite us to join the National Police so they can deceive us after," Baptiste declared. (AHP, 4/22)

Rebels plan to participate in elections:
The rebels who swept through Haiti plan to put down their weapons and form a political party, leader Guy Philippe told The Herald on April 29. The rebels will turn their weapons over to police next month at a meeting in Gonaives, Philippe said at the Ibolele Hotel, high in the mountains above the capital. At that point they will change officially from the rebel Front de Resistance to the Front de Reconstrucion Nationale, a political party. "We don't want anything to do with weapons," said Philippe, 36, a former police chief and army officer. "Now everything is politics." US officials say the new party would threaten any chance of progress in Haiti, because its ranks include military and paramilitary leaders who allegedly terrorized political opponents in the early 1990's. (Miami Herald, 4/30)

Interim government adds to list of Fanmi Lavalas members who cannot leave Haiti; announces plan to seize Aristide's accounts:
Haiti's interim government added 22 people, including five former government ministers, to a list of ex-President Aristide's allies who are barred from leaving the country. Aristide's FL party has denounced the list as a witch hunt by the new government against Aristide supporters, many of whom went into hiding after Feb. 29. "It is a political decision aimed at persecuting and discrediting those who collaborated with President Aristide," Lavalas spokesman Gilvert Angervil said. Justice Minister Bernard Gousse has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying he issued the list to prevent people suspected of wrongdoing from leaving Haiti. (Reuters, 4/14)

Haiti's new leader said on 4/27 that he was working with the US, France and the European Union to track down and freeze bank accounts belonging to ousted President Aristide. He did not give a figure on the amount of money he accuses Aristide of having stolen from Haiti. Nor did he indicate where he thought the accounts were likely to be found. The former UN bureaucrat plans to travel to Washington, Paris and Brussels next month and said he would pursue the efforts to seize the accounts. (Reuters, 4/27)

Bahamas withdraws diplomats from Haiti:
The Bahamas has withdrawn all its diplomats from Haiti, following the shooting and robbery of its ambassador's wife and a threatening telephone call to the wife of a second diplomat. Bahamian Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told the Bahamian Parliament that the government didn't believe the shooting was politically motivated. But a Caribbean diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he understood the Bahamas was investigating whether the two incidents were related and connected to the bad relations between Haiti's US-backed interim government and the 15-nation CARICOM that has refused to recognize it. The community has called for the UN to investigate the departure of ousted President Aristide, who charged he was forced from power by the US. The Bahamas is the only Caribbean country with an embassy in Haiti, though Barbados has a consulate. (AP, Nassau Guardian, 4/23)

Louis Jodel Chamblain surrenders, human rights organizations skeptical: Former number two of the paramilitary organization FRAPH, Louis Jodel Chamblain promised on April 21 to go back to prison on April 22 to wait for a new sentence, after an agreement with judicial authorities. Chamblain met leaders of the justice and the chief of police, Leonce Charles. The ex-FRAPH leader was condemned to hard labor for life after he was found guilty of the murders of thousands of people during the period of the 1991 military coup d'etat. Chamblain was with his lawyer when he explained his decision because he greatly trusts the Haitian justice system today, he said. (AHP, 4/21)

Chamblain went back to prison on 4/22 after discussing the matter with judicial and police leaders the day before. Chamblain denied the accusations against him. "Every time we talk of arresting or judging Lavalas leaders, the name of Chamblain is always mentioned. Now, they will have no more excuses, the former FRAPH leader declared. For his part, ex-prisoner Jean Pierre alias Jean Tatoune, announced on Thursday that he will soon go back to prison, like Chamblain, while he waits for another sentence too. Jean Tatoune had been condemned to hard labor for life for his participation in the Raboteau massacre in April 1994. (AHP, 4/22)

Proclaiming his innocence, Chamblain's surrender came as a conference for international donors opened in Port-au-Prince. Haiti's government hopes to get millions of dollars in aid to rebuild the shattered country, which is reeling from a revolt that ousted Aristide on Feb. 29. Chamblain said his conviction in absentia in 2000 was politically motivated and predicted he would be vindicated. Chamblain was accompanied by Haiti's interim Justice Minister Bernard Gousse, who called the surrender a "noble decision." "We welcome the surrender," said Joanne Mariner of Human Rights Watch. "We would welcome his incarceration. Our concern would beÖ he won't stay in prison very long." (AP, 4/22)

Brian Concannon, an American who helped the Aristide government prosecute Chamblain, said his surrender was a "charade" and defended his trial as one of the most open and fair in Haitian history. "I've never in the world heard of someone taking power through a violent coup d'etat and submitting himself to a justice system," said Concannon, who said he doubts the rebel leader will ever face a new trial. "I'd be willing to bet almost anything he's going to get a judge to dismiss the case, which will be done much more quietly than a full trial." (Miami Herald, 4/23)

"Amnesty International (AI) welcomes the fact that both Chamblain and Baptiste, who were convicted of horrendous human rights abuses, could be back in custody," said AI. "It is crucial that Louis Jodel Chamblain is given a fair trial in compliance with international standards. Only in this way will trust be rebuilt in the Haitian judicial system." Under Haitian law, those convicted in absentia have the right to a re-trial. This provision in the Haitian law does not apply to Jean Pierre Baptiste, as he was present during his trial. The re-trial of Chamblain will be a test for the Haitian judicial system. During the recent violence in Haiti, a number of courthouses were burnt down and archives containing evidence of his involvement in the crimes of which he was convicted may have been destroyed. AI is also concerned for the safety of judicial officials and witnesses. (AI, 4/23)

UNICEF: Effects of crisis on children:
UNICEF said on April 19 that a new assessment of Haitian children is the first indication of how deeply the country's recent political violence touched their lives. In more than 15% of the surveyed zones, children were reportedly killed in the violence. Children were wounded by gunshots or beaten by armed gangs in more than 1/3 of the surveyed zones. The number of child rapes increased significantly in the urban areas where violence was the most extreme. Children were recruited by armed gangs in almost a third of the surveyed zones. Many children who participated in violent activities now fear retribution for their actions. In more than 70% of the surveyed zones, families fled the violence to seek refuge in safer areas. In 8 of 10 major cities, school students received death threats aimed at preventing them from attending school or participating in public events. Several assessment mission conducted throughout the country by the UNICEF team in Haiti following the conflict confirmed that a number of schools and hospitals had been the targets of violence or looting. (UNICEF, 4/19)

Meeks' statement on Haiti:
Following his return from Haiti on April 23, "Yesterday, several of my colleagues and I visited Haiti. Our bipartisan delegation (3 Democrats ‚ Elijah Cummings, Kendrick Meek, and myself; 3 Republicans, Cass Ballenger, Mark Foley and Jeff Miller) was seeking ways the US could help Haiti become a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation. What became immediately clear from all our conversations and observations there is that Haiti needs disarmamentÖ What Haiti next needs the most is reconciliation, reconstitution, and reconstructionÖI wanted to make it crystal clear to the new president and prime minister, to officials responsible for the justice system, and to the American Ambassador, that I cannot and will not advocate for any Haitian government until I am assured that it is a break from the past. This means a government that has a plan for building a new Haiti, that strengthens Haitian democracy, and that encourages Haitians themselves to take the lead in revitalizing the economy and civic life. To earn the support of the Congress and the American people, to foster reconciliation, reconstitution, and reconstruction, the new government must: Move resolutely toward creating an inclusive political democracy, including the unencumbered participation of Lavalas which still enjoys widespread support. Place priority on providing for the most urgent needs of the vast majority of the Haitian peopleÖReject in word and deed the persecution of critics and political opponents. Prosecute murderers, thugs, and drug dealers, and in fact commit itself to denying a role for these criminals in government. Commit to bringing to justice persons ‚whether they were part of the former government or are part of the present government ‚ who have committed crimes against the Haitian peopleÖI left Haiti convinced that American support and participation in Haiti's disarmament, reconciliation, reconstruction is essential. Without it, I seriously doubt whether the rule of law, a fair and impartial judiciary, a viable economy, durable civic peace, and free and fair election can be achieved in Haiti. I am also convinced that America must break with the ways in which it has related to Haiti in the past. We must make a long term commitment to the economic revitalization and democratic well-being of our neighbor. We must strive to be an honest broker and not a power broker." (Rep. Gregory Meeks, NY, CaribPR Newswire, 4/24)

One killed during recruitment for Haitian National Police:
A student was killed and 23 people were hurt when job applicants stormed Haiti's police academy during a recruiting drive. Authorities used tear gas and riot batons on thousands of job hunters. Jerry Prophete, 23 years old, was trampled to death. About 150 officers were fired last week for abandoning their posts and ethics violations. Officials estimate only about 2,000 officers remain and the government wants to build the force to 6,000 by next year. (AP, 4/21)

10th Anniversary of Raboteau Massacre:
This April 22nd was the 10th anniversary of the Raboteau massacre. Dozens of people were killed in this massacre perpetrated in 1994 by members of the former army and the paramilitary corps FRAPH lead by Emmanuel Toto Constant and Louis Jodel Chamblain. Ten years later, the main convicts of the only trial on the many massacred committed during the coup d'etat are still running free. Organizations of human rights, notable the Lawyers Committee for the Respect of Individual Freedoms (CARLI), the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) and Amnesty International, denounced the situation of impunity that the authors of this massacre enjoy. For its part, AI denounced the fact that the Latortue government is very quick to arrest and bring proceedings against Lavalas members and supporters for their presumed involvement in cases of violations of human rights, while it closes its eyes on cases of condemned individuals. (AHP, 4/22)

Latortue announces development program:
The Latortue government presented its development program to international sponsors in Haiti for the financing of projects in Haiti. Latortue declared his program is based on four important points: (1) Electricity is the most important field of developed since it is the root of all development. (2) Road infrastructures are essential to the development of tourism and agriculture. Latortue claims Haiti needs only 3000 km of roads, and he dreams of a coastal road from Port-de-Paix to Jeremie. (3) He also declared that the training of human resources is essential to the country's development. The provisional government says it has to wait until June in a meeting with sponsors in Washington to know if its projects will be taken into account. (AHP, 4/22)

Multinational Forces announce money for weapons program:
Spokesperson of the MIF in Haiti, David Lapan announced that, in the context of the disarmament process set in motion in the country, money will be given to everyone who gives information that leads to hiding places of illegal weapons. $37,000 is available for this initiative. The more weapons a hiding place contains, the more the owner will receive. (AHP, 4/23)

Cummings and Foley visit Haiti:
A delegation of 6 American congressmen led by Rep. Mark Foley (FL), visited Port-au-Prince for a few hours to learn about the country's socio-political situation and how they can help to stabilize it. Foley said the president and the prime minister expressed the wish that American Marines stay for after June 1. Latortue said the Black Caucus, of which Elijah Cummings (MD) is a member, would be starting to disassociate itself with Aristide and get a new perspective on the Haitian situation. (AHP, 4/23)

Aristide Supporters call for his return:
Two months after President Aristide was forced into exile, his embattled supporters demanded the international community allow him to return. Pro-Aristide organizations from the sprawling slums of Port-au-Prince reiterated their claim ‚ vigorously denied by Washington ‚ that Haiti's first democratically elected leader had been ousted by the US and France. "The US has no right to kidnap our president. We want Aristide back here in the flesh," Lesly Gustave, a spokesman for the "Little Church" community, told a news conference. Gustave and other popular organization leaders spoke at the ruins of the St. Jean Bosco church, which was burned down in 1988 by thugs while Aristide celebrated mass. They announced they would stage a series of protests starting on May 18 to press for his return. "The US and the international community are perpetrating a crime against democracy and human rights in Haiti today," Gustave told Reuters. He said the international community and a 3600 peace force led by US Marines, has turned a blind eye to crimes against Aristide supporters. (Reuters, 4/29)

PAPDA, NCHR and CONAP Demonstrate:
Many officials of organizations from the platform of the former opposition gave a severe warning on April 26 to the interim Prime Minister and his team, accusing them of bring too slow in the process of arresting all those accused of committing crimes under the Aristide government. They gave this warning during a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Justice premises. Officials from the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR), the PAPDA (Haitian Platform to Advocate for an Alternative Development), the CONAP (Coordination of Advocacy for Women), the UNNOH and the crisis committee in the university, said it was not normal that these accused are still walking the streets freely. Two officials from these organizations, Magalie Marcelin and Josue Valval, said this sit-in was a warning to the Latortue government, which must stop making big promises and start acting. They said the mobilization will continue until there are real changes in the coutnry. Among other things, they asked for the arrest of former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune. The participants also asked the soldiers of the multinational forces to leave the premises of the Aristide Foundation for Democracy's Peace University to the students of the State University. However, they did not comment on the issues of confirmed criminals still walking the streets and former rebels who committed serious crimes during the events of recent months. (AHP, 4/26)

_______________________________________________
Haitireport mailing list
Haitireport@haitireborn.org
http://www.haitireborn.org/mailman/listinfo/haitireport