13863: Blanchet: Haiti: Political temperature keeps increasing (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>


Dear Readers,

Please see below my translation of the latest news report from AlterPresse.
I
want also to draw your attention to the existence of two important documents
on the Haiti Support Group web site. These are a class analysis of the
current situation by Kim Ives of Haiti Progres newspaper, and a chapter from
the new edition of Paul Farmer's 'The Uses of Haiti' book. The pieces offer
essential (and contrasting) analysis of, and insight into, the current
disturbances. (Go the What's New section of the Haiti Support Group web
site:
www.haitisupport.gn.apc.org )

Charles Arthur
for the Haiti Support Group

Haïti : la température politique continue d'augmenter

The political temperature keeps increasing
Port-au-Prince 28 November 2002 [AlterPresse] --- The first death and the
first police injuries were registered on 28 November, as the situation in
Haiti shows no sign of calming down after more than two weeks of
predominantly anti-government political agitation. Also for the first time
since the current trouble began, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide broke his
silence to declare that he had no intention of standing down.

Christophe Losama, a Lavalas Family militant who was the local judge in
Belladères (Central Plateau), was shot dead and his body burnt during
clashes between anti-Lavalas demonstrators and government supporters in the
town of Lascahobas, near Belladères. "The two sides were armed and the
police were powerless," said local reporters.

According to the first version of events, the judge was at the head of a
group of government supporters who wanted to break up the demonstration. In
Lascahobas, the former Lavalas Family Senator, Dera Dieuseul Simon,
preferred to put all the blame for responsibility for the death on the
opposition Democratic Convergence coalition.

Gunshots were heard throughout the town causing a wave of panic among the
population. Reporters said that the town's activities were completely
paralysed.

In Gonaïves (Artibonite), fugitive Amiot Métayer's "Cannibal Army" became
yet more famous on 28 November by violently disrupting an anti-Lavalas
demonstration lead by sectors grouped under the banner of the United
Citizens. The ranks of marchers were swollen by the presence of a group
headed by Jean Pierre, (aka Tatoune) another of the prisoners who escaped in
August.

The demonstration was proceeding without incident but degenerated when
members of the Cannibal Army used knives, clubs and whips to chase away the
crowd. There were many injuries.

In different circumstances, two CIMO riot squad policemen were wounded by
bullets, one in his head. The police spokesman, Jean Dady Siméon, announced
that the two policemen had been attacked by gunmen. He declared he was not
able to say to which side the attackers appeared to belong.

"The police have lost control of the city," stated a colleague who just
returned from Gonaives. Local police officials said that the police actions
were limited to the perimeters of the police stations, according to this
journalist. The police authorities seem to be bewildered, he added.

The other part of the country 'seeing action' on the 28 November was the
usually calm town of Jacmel (Sud-Est). Several thousand schoolchildren
demonstrated to demand the government rescind the sacking of three teachers,
who were dismissed, according to the demonstrators, for taking part in a
recent anit-government rally. The schoolchildren and students, who also
called for Aristide to resign, demonstrated without incident and with a
police presence.

By contrast, in Aux Cayes (Sud), according to media reports, government
supporters took to the streets on 28 November to insist that Aristide
completes his mandate which is not due to end until 2006. The demonstration,
which took place in a carnival atmosphere, was notable for the presence of
elected Lavalas Family officials from the department.

President Aristide, who broke the silence that he has observed since the
troubles began, declared that there was no place for "coups d'etat".
Aristide made this declaration during a press conference at the National
Palace, where he was accompanied by his wife, Mildred and government
ministers.

Aristide condemned the violence that has shaken the country and called on
politicians to reconsider and take part in the process that should lead to
legislative and municipal elections in 2003. Aristide however would not
comment on the case of the escaped prisoner Amiot Metayer, whose arrest is
demanded by the private sector, the US and the Organisation of American
States. [vs/gp 28/11/02 21:59]

> > > > > > AlterPresse > > > > > > Reseau alternatif haitien d'information
du Groupe Medialternatif
URL : http://www.medialternatif.org/alterpresse/
E-mail : alterpresse@medialternatif.org

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