14601: Chamberlain: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Strike (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 24 (AP) -- Thousands of business leaders, taxi
drivers and doctors held a general strike Friday, clamoring for a better
life in the hemisphere's poorest nation.
   The strike, which affected the two largest cities of Port-au-Prince and
Cap-Haitien, came as a U.S. congressional delegation led by Ethel Kennedy
met with President Jean-Bertrand Aristide for more than an hour on Friday.
   "It was an important visit to help the Haitian people come out from
under the economic embargo," Aristide told reporters after the meeting.
   The delegation was investigating how the withholding of foreign aid --
prompted by 2000 legislative elections the opposition denounced as rigged
-- has deepened poverty in the nation.
   Aristide has long blamed the vacuum of aid for stalled progress in the
Western Hemisphere's poorest nation, but there has been growing discontent
over the stagnant economy, crime and rising fuel prices.
   The United States "should give the nod to release the withheld funds,"
Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., told reporters after the closed-door meeting.
   But some strikers disagreed, saying the delegation should look more
closely at Haiti's political climate.
   "The delegation is out of touch with reality," said businessman Andy
Apaid, who participated in the strike. "They seem to support one man out of
friendship, and not the Haitian people on the course of democracy and
economic development."
   Gasoline prices have jumped to more than $2 per gallon this month as the
government has halted fuel subsidies.
   Traffic was lighter than usual Friday as doctors canceled appointments,
teachers missed class and factories were shut.
   Some Haitians, however, said they couldn't afford to strike.
   "It's a strike for the upper-class and not for us poor people," said
Jean-Robert Philidor, 45, a soft-drink vendor near the capital's
international airport. "They can afford to stay home. We can't."
   Protests against Aristide's government have multiplied since
mid-November, with government supporters holding separate rallies.
   Aristide has refused to step down before his five-year term ends in
February 2006 but has said legislative elections will be held by June.