9937: The tension is still high in Petit-Goave (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Robert Benodin <r.benodin@worldnet.att.net>

Haiti: Highlights of Radio Metropole news 1145 gmt 6 Dec 01
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Dec 10, 2001


2. [06] The tension is still high in Petit-Goave four days after the
assassination of Journalist Brignol Lindor. The population is still in a
state of shock, and the police are using tear gas to restore calm. The
judicial authorities have done nothing yet to find the authors of the crime.
Yesterday, the members of the people's organization that is called Sleepers
in the Woods that was accused of perpetrating the act attempted to justify
the murder.
3. [11] While journalists mourn the death of their colleague Lindor, some
Lavalas deputies are attacking the press, including the media barons. In
statements made yesterday, Lavalas deputies Jean Candio and Francois
Metellus vigorously denounced members of the press as supporters of the
opposition. They also accused the press of working to destabilize the
Lavalas government. It should be noted that Deputy Candio was involved in an
incident in the Plucher area in Cavaillon. He was accused of breaking up a
mass celebrated by a priest who, according to the Lavalas partisans, was a
supporter of the opposition. That took place more than a year ago.
4. [14] The Democratic Convergence calls for the departure of the Lavalas
regime because of the assassination of Brignol Lindor. Opposition leaders
hold the head of state responsible for the climate of violence that prevails
in the country. The Convergence condemns Lindor's murder.
5. [16] Haitian university students expressed anger at the lynching of
Journalist Lindor. They call on the police and judicial authorities to do
everything possible to find the culprits. This hateful crime has revolted
the consciences of the students.
6. [19] The French government has expressed its anger following the murder
of Journalist Lindor. In a note made public yesterday, the French government
points out that Lindor was brutally murdered for performing his duties as a
reporter and asserting his right to freedom of speech. The French government
reiterated its commitment to freedom of the press throughout the world and
strongly condemned the threats and attacks against those who uphold
democracy and human rights.
Source: Radio Metropole, Port-au-Prince, in French 1145 gmt 6 Dec 01
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.