17779: Reid - events during our trip to Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Ralph Reid <rafreid@yahoo.com>

Here is a summary of other events occurring during our trip to Haiti,
December 27, 2003 to January 7, 2004

ralph --

------------------------------------------------
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Carjacking, abduction and complete robbery at gunpoint of M. Dejean, R.
Reid and a relative, after being followed from the airport.
A second couple from the United States was also followed from the
airport, carjacked and abducted – no further information available.

Tuesday, December 30, 2003
A large anti-government demonstration was broken up when “chimeres”
began shooting the demonstrators. The police (Police National d'Haiti)
stood by but did nothing to control the chimeres. The demonstrators
were unarmed. (“Chimeres” are groups of violent, armed young men, who
are linked to the government and officially recognized as legitimate
“Popular Organizations.”  Many of them have been deported from the
United States or Canada for crime or drug-related activities.)

Wednesday, December 31, 2003
A female physician residing in Haiti was murdered on the Route de
l’Aeroport.
A pro-government march took place, starting in Petionville. In stark
contrast to the anti-government demonstrations, which are attended by
thousands of people, male and female, of all ages, colours and classes,
the pro-government march consisted entirely of approximately 200 young
men, waving guns in the air, smoking marijuana and subjecting business
owners in the commercial area, and lighter-complexioned passersby, to
tirades of curses and vulgarities, as well as threats against their
lives. They were driving government vehicles, particularly those of
Teleco, the national telephone company.

Thursday, January 01, 2004
Another huge anti-government march. This march was broken up when the
“chimeres” attacked the police. The “chimeres” have apparently been
promised money by the government for their services in causing trouble
during anti-government marches, but have not been paid. This apparently
was the reason they attacked the police.
Approximately 130 prisoners broke out of the national penitentiary.
Most were common criminals; none were thought to be political
prisoners. Rumors abound as to the cause, but the most persistent one
is that the breakout was aided by the government itself, in order to
increase the ranks of the “chimeres.”

Sunday, January 04, 2004
A well-respected social science professor and grocery market owner was
assassinated after thugs shot at his vehicle on the Route de
l’Aeroport.
Numerous threatening declarations were made on the radio by two close
Aristide associates, Mario Dupuy and Father Massac. The threats were
specifically against business owners, particularly those who operate
gas stations. The threats were in response to a call by the opposition
group for a general strike scheduled for Thursday and Friday, January
8-9, 2004.

Monday, January 05, 2004
Shots were heard in Petionville beginning at about 11:00 PM. Near
midnight, loud explosions were heard and fireballs were seen in the
sky. A house which was being used to store small propane gas tanks,
located behind a gas station, was demolished by the explosions and
fire. Both the house and the gas station are said to be owned by a
family whose patriarch was murdered by chimeres several months ago.

Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Kidnapping, at 4:30 PM of a business owner who is a nephew of a close
Aristide associate, Gladys Lauture, who recently fell out of favour
with the president. It was openly reported that the ransom money paid
would be used to settle accounts with the “chimeres.”

Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Entrance to the outgoing immigration station, just before the departure
gate, at the airport in Port-au-Prince was blocked by angry passengers
who have been stranded in Haiti since December 28, 2003 by Air D’Haiti.
Air D’Haiti operates charter flights, but the rights are controlled by
Charlie Vogt, who is a close associate of Aristide. No flights were
able to take off until noon, although other flights continued to land.
The protest was ended when members of a government military force
(C.I.M.O.), armed to the teeth, threatened to “arrest” the protesters.




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