13221: Chamberlain -- Haiti-Student Protest (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 19 (AP) -- University students and their supporters
marched through the streets of the capital Thursday, protesting the removal
of the state university's director.
   Some 200 demonstrators called for the immediate reinstatement of the
administrative board, including Professor Pierre Marie Paquiot's
restoration as head of Haiti State University.
   The government removed Paquiot from his post in July, saying Paquiot's
mandate was up, and appointed a three-member interim board until new
university elections were held.
   The students have accused the government of interfering in university
business, and demanded Paquiot run the school until the elections.
   "The only remaining independent institution is the university and now
they want to take it over," said Pierrot Exama, a member of the Haitian
Federation of Students.
   As the protesters inched their way toward the National Palace, about 20
pro-Aristide supporters along the route shouted "Aristide or death."
Several spray-painted the words "Aristide for 50 years" on the street.
   Elections for a new university director are expected in the coming
months. A first election, in which Paquiot did not run, ended with no
candidate winning a necessary majority. Paquiot has said he would run in
the next election, which will be decided by students and faculty votes.