16033: Karshan: AHP article on more violence by former military in Central Plateau (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com


Four people are killed in Lascaobas: former members of the military now
called san manman are believed responsible
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Port-au-Prince, June 23, 2003 -(AHP)- Four people including one shopkeeper
were killed Saturday night in Lascahobas (Center geographic Department) by a
group of heavily armed men.

According to various eyewitness accounts, the killers, who also attacked a
police sub-station in the city, are part of the so-called "san manman army"
believed to be close to the political opposition.

In an interview with AHP, the Minister of the Interior and Local Government,
Jocelerme Privert, said that these bandits, who have been identified as former
members of the Haitian military and violent elements of the political
opposition, have perpetrated unspeakable acts of barbarity against the people of
Lascahobas, mainly against individuals known to be close to the Fanmi Lavalas
party.

According to Mr.  Privert, grenades were thrown at homes where people were
living and individuals who had been tied up and tortured were coldly murdered.

A note from the Interior Ministry underscores that this macabre undertaking
is part of a plan of subversion consisting of harassing people living in the
border communities and creating a climate of uncertainty and fear throughout the
country in an effort to destabilize democratic order.

The Ministry adds that the objective of those responsible for these crimes is
to overthrow the established constitutional order, and terrorize and decimate
innocent communities.

The governmental authorities expressed their "unshakeable determination" to
protect the population and assure political stability and peace at the
community level. They also offered their sympathy to the families of those killed and
to all the victims.

Elsewhere, an explosion shook a building occupied by the government's
delegation in the North Department Sunday night.

According to Delegate Myrtho Julien, there were no victims from the explosion
and damage was light.

Mr. Julien also said that the origin of the explosion is not yet known.

These different acts of violence happen to have taken place at around the
same time as the decision by the Acting Chief of Police, Jean-Robert Faveur, to
abandon his position on the pretext that he was the object of intense pressure.

AHP June 23, 2003  3:20 PM


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