16890: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Violence (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Oct 3 (AP) -- The Haitian police defended themselves
against accusations of brutality Friday, a day after a raid on a shantytown
left at least five dead and nearly a dozen wounded.
   Officers stormed a slum in the west-coast town of Gonaives on Thursday
to arrest several supporters of street gang leader Amiot Metayer, who was
shot to death last week. The gang is accused of fomenting violent protests
that have raged for more than week in the port town.
   Witnesses claimed that police shot indiscriminately at bystanders during
Thursday's raid. But police said they were fired on.
   "What interest would we have in shooting at the people?" said Gonaives
police inspector Cadostin Marc-Andre, in an interview with the independent
Radio Signal F.M.
   The U.S. government criticized Haitian authorities for the deaths.
   "I would like to express our deep regret over the death of innocent
victims in Gonaives and our concern regarding the excessive and blind use
of force by the police," U.S. Ambassador James Foley said.
   Since Metayer's body was discovered, protests have paralyzed the
Gonaives, a port town some 70 miles northwest of the capital. Supporters
blame both the police and the government of President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide in connection with his death. The government has denied the
accusations.