17984: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Protester's Funeral (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 16 (AP) -- Firing warning shots and tear gas, police
stopped mourners on Friday from approaching the presidential palace with
the coffin of a protester killed during a demonstration against President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
   At least six people suffered minor injuries in violence that followed,
most of them hurt by hurled rocks or shots fired by Aristide supporters,
witnesses said.
   The clashes occurred during the funeral of Maxime Deselmour, 33, shot
during a Jan. 7 protest. As the funeral procession marched toward the
National Palace, with mourners shouting "Down with Aristide!" police fired
into the air and Aristide supporters hurled rocks.
   Witnesses said Aristide supporters also fired shots as mourners fled
past a government office, hitting one person in the arm and grazing
another's head. Three were struck by stones.
   Pressure has been building on Aristide's administration since his party
swept 2000 legislative elections that observers said were flawed. Poverty
has deepened and unrest has risen. In the past four months, at least 46
people have been killed in demonstrations.
   Witnesses say Deselmour was killed when police and Aristide partisans
were firing shots to intimidate protesters. The shooting was under
investigation.
   "Maxime was committed to change, and he died fighting for it," said
Bernard Leveque, 29, a student and close friend of Deselmour.
   Opposition is mounting against Aristide's embattled administration. A
movement made up of political parties, clergy, students and business
leaders, refuses to participate in new elections unless Aristide resigns.
   But it remains unclear whether any of the movement's leaders has the
international backing and popular support to lead the country out of its
deepening morass.
   This week at a special Summit of the Americas in Mexico, Aristide said
government representatives would meet in the Bahamas next week with the
opposition and members of the 15-member Caribbean Community. He said
international observers, including Canada, would monitor talks over setting
up a nine-member electoral council to set a date for new elections.
   So far, the opposition was refusing to talk to Aristide.
   "The opposition will not negotiate with Aristide but is ready to discuss
with Caribbean Community leaders," said Serge Giles, an opposition leader.
   Aristide is Haiti's first freely elected leader. He says he plans to
serve out his term until 2006.