17594: Lemieux: Voice of America: Opposition Declares Cease-Fire (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

Haitian Opposition Declares Cease-Fire for Bicentennial
VOA News
30 Dec 2003, 19:09 UTC


The head of an armed group that opposes Haiti's president
has declared a cease-fire ahead of the Caribbean nation's
bicentennial on January 1.
Buter Metayer made the announcement Monday in
Port-au-Prince, where thousands demonstrated in support of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Mr. Metayer, who leads
the Artibonite Revolutionary Resistance Front, says the
cease-fire will continue throughout the celebrations.

President Aristide plans to travel to the town of Gonaive
Thursday to celebrate the anniversary. That town is the
stronghold of the Artibonite group, but it also is where
Haiti declared its independence from France in 1804. South
African President Thabo Mbeki will accompany the Haitian
leader.

Monday's demonstration in Port-au-Prince came one day after
police arrested a leading spokesman for another opposition
group. Eliscar Charles, a member of the Peoples' Struggle
Party, was jailed Sunday for leading what authorities said
was an illegal demonstration.

Haiti has been in turmoil since its 2000 elections which
the opposition says were rigged. Since September, scores
have been killed and wounded.

Mr. Metayer's brother, Amiot, the former leader of the
Artibonites, was shot and killed in September. Their
followers blame the government for the death, while the
government blames a rival opposition group.


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