16049: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Police Chief 1 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 23 (AP) -- Haiti's new police chief has gone into
exile, and the opposition said Monday his resignation will make it
difficult to hold credible elections this year to break the nation's
political stalemate.
   The opposition and government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have
been at loggerheads since flawed May 2000 legislative elections.
   "Today I have chosen the path of exile rather than to allow myself to
become corrupt and subservient," Jean-Robert Faveur wrote in a letter to
Aristide dated June 21, saying the lives of his loved ones were "in
jeopardy."
   Radio Kiskeya, a private station, reported Monday that Faveur passed
through Anse-a-Pitre on the southern border of Haiti and Dominican Republic
on Sunday. He reportedly went early in the morning, leaving his police
vehicle and weapon, and telling the duty officer he was going to the
Dominican Republic. Police could not be immediately reached for comment.
   Faveur's whereabouts were still unknown Monday although diplomats who
spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press he had visas to
the United States and France, where his wife is studying. U.S. Embassy
spokesman Judith Trunzo said U.S. officials didn't know his whereabouts.
   Aristide has been under intense pressure to reform the 4,000-member
police force, which has been accused of criminal activity, human rights
abuses and repression of political dissent.
   Both the opposition and civil groups have demanded the reforms, as well
as other security-establishing measures, before they join a nine-member
election board mandated to oversee legislative elections that Aristide
pledged to hold this year.
   The opposition said that after Faveur's resignation, it would be
difficult for Aristide to make good on his pledge of secure and credible
elections.
   Faveur alleged that under instructions from Aristide, government
officials allegedly ordered him to endorse promotions and transfers of
police officers. His right to sign official checks was also abrogated.
   Government spokesman Mario Dupuy declined to comment on Faveur's
allegations but said Aristide never received the letter of resignation.
   "Therefore we consider him to be a high-level civil servant who has
abandoned his post," Dupuy said.
   The opposition praised Faveur's "courage." An honest man has no place in
Aristide's government," said Evans Paul, an opposition leader.
   The Organization of American States, which has been trying to break the
political stalemate, passed two resolutions last year for establishing
security, including disarming partisans and reforming the police force.
   Faveur was sworn in June 6 to replace Jean-Claude Jean-Baptiste, who
resigned June 3 after being on the job for 2 1/2 months.
   Jean-Baptiste, an Aristide partisan, had been accused of involvement in
the 1991 killing of politician Sylvio Claude on the eve of an army coup
that ousted Aristide and sent him into exile, charges which he denies.