17595: Lemieux: News24.com: Haitians Unsure How to react to navy ship (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

Drakensberg set for Mbeki visit
30/12/2003 21:07  - (SA)

Deon Lamprecht


Port-au-Prince - Haitians are not quite sure how to react
to South Africa's SAS Drakensberg, which is anchored in
their harbour, as the last time they saw a foreign
battleship was during the United States invasion of their
island.

Supporters of Haiti's opposition see the Drakensberg, the
jewel in the South African naval crown, as a deadly
machine.

Rumours are doing the rounds that fully-loaded,
missile-carrying helicopters are sweeping low over the city
and that foreign camouflaged soldiers have converged on the
streets of Gonaives, ahead of President Thabo Mbeki's visit
on Thursday.

He is due to take part in Haiti's independence day
festivities.

The Drakensberg's deployment to Haiti is to provide
logistical support to Mbeki and his party during their
visit. It is also there in case Mbeki needs a safe haven if
domestic violence breaks out.

Four ambulances at the ready

No chances have been taken and the Drakensberg itself has
been cordoned off with security wire and two armed officers
constantly guard Mbeki's Mercedes.

Four ambulances and three trucks with logistical and
medical equipment have already been offloaded.

Lieutenant-commander Prince Shabalala, the ship's media
officer, said: "We are here to help the people of Haiti
celebrate their independence," adding that the ship's crew
had been given a warm welcome when they arrived.

Shabalala said Haiti's security situation was assessed
regularly and crew were allowed to disembark only in
escorted groups.

The ship, which has a crew of 250, has 51 members of the
police's special task force as well as 18 members of the
national intelligence agency aboard.

Apart from the air force's Oryx helicopter, there also is a
police one on board.

The Drakensberg is expected to leave harbour on Thursday
and anchor offshore during Mbeki's visit to the unstable
Gonaives district. Mbeki will be flown to Gonaives by
helicopter.


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