a1082: Haiti-Prime Minister (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 4 (AP) -- Haiti's president nominated Senate
President Yvon Neptune as the new prime minister Monday. But the move is
not likely to help resolve the Caribbean nation's long-standing political
crisis.
   Neptune would replace Jean-Marie Cherestal, who resigned Jan. 15 after
11 months in office under pressure from pro-Aristide street demonstrators
who accused him of failing to meet people's needs while living in a $1.7
million mansion bought by the government.
   The choice of Neptune was expected by many. He serves as acting head of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas Family party and formerly was
the presidential spokesman.
   Neptune, 55, is expected to be confirmed within weeks by a Parliament
overwhelmingly dominated by Lavalas legislators.
   "Mr. Neptune will have no problem becoming the next premier,"
Communications Minister Guy Paul said after a Monday meeting at which
Aristide informed party leaders of his choice.
   But the appointment of Neptune, a hard-line Aristide supporter, is
unlikely to help end a two-year crisis rooted in flawed local and
legislative elections swept by Aristide's party in 2000.
   The international community has blocked hundreds of millions of dollars
in foreign aid until the government and opposition reach an agreement on
new elections.
   Neptune has often blamed the opposition and the international community
for his impoverished nation's troubles.
   An architect by profession, he lived for many years in New York City and
became close to Aristide after his ouster by the army in 1991.
   Aristide spent three years in exile and was restored by a U.S. invasion
in 1994.
   Neptune returned home and served as presidential spokesman from 1994
until 1996, when Aristide -- barred by term limits from seeking a second
consecutive term -- backed Rene Preval, his hand-picked successor, in
elections.
   Aristide himself was re-elected in November 2000.
   Neptune was elected to the Senate in the May 2000 elections and
represents the district that includes Port-au-Prince.
   He has served in government during a time of heightened political
tension.
   On Dec. 17, a group of armed men attacked on the National Palace in an
assault that the government described as a failed coup attempt and that
opposition leaders claim was staged to allow a clampdown on dissent.
   At least 10 were killed in the attack and subsequent violence as
Aristide partisans torched and looted the offices and homes of opposition
leaders.