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6589: GILMAN, GOSS REPUDIATE LAVALAS THREATS (fwd)
From: Stanley Lucas <slucas@iri.org>
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: January 10, 2001
FOR RELEASE: Immediate
CONTACT: Lester Munson 202-225-8097 (les.munson@mail.house.gov)
GILMAN, GOSS REPUDIATE LAVALAS THREATS, EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN
OPPOSITION
WASHINGTON (Jan. 10) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), a
senior member of the House International Relations Committee, and U.S.
Rep. Porter Goss (R-FL), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence, issued the following joint statement today to repudiate
threats made by violent elements linked to Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide:
"The threats made yesterday by the leaders of the so-called 'Young
People's Power Organization' (JPP) against prominent journalists, the
hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and civil society and opposition
political leaders are unacceptable. The long list of political
assassinations in Haiti is proof enough to believe that these are not idle
threats.
"In speaking at the church of Saint Jean Bosco, the men issuing
these threats clearly suggested to Haitians that they were speaking for
Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide. Instead of keeping his promises to President
Clinton, Mr. Aristide is condoning by his silence thuggish acts of
violence in his name.
"Haiti's 1987 Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of
expression and of assembly. Haiti's journalists, opposition leaders and
civil and religious leaders have courageously sought to peacefully
exercise these basic democratic rights. They deserve our support.
"The government of Haiti and the Haitian National Police are
responsible for insuring that fundamental human rights are protected. The
responsibility for preventing the violence that is being threatened lies
squarely on the shoulders of President Rene Preval and the government of
Haiti."
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