18077: Backers of Haiti's Aristide Hold March (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: John Holmstead <cyberkismet2@yahoo.com>

Note: Interesting how when the opposition hits the
streets Norton uses terms like "massive
demonstrations" and words like their demonstrations
have "surged" and here we only get a bland and passive
"march."


Posted on Wed, Jan. 21, 2004

Backers of Haiti's Aristide Hold March
MICHAEL NORTON
Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - More than 20,000 Haitians
marched in support of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Wednesday after police fired tear gas to prevent about
200 of his opponents from demonstrating.

It was the second time in three days police have used
tear gas against anti-government protesters. Police
also fired warning shots into the air as the
anti-Aristide group was about to set off from Haiti's
state university.

Several minor injuries were reported and one medical
student was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Just blocks away, meanwhile, a pro-government
demonstration swelled to thousands of people.

"Long live Aristide!" shouted Bernier Civil, 44. "We
are marching because everyone should participate in
elections. "The opposition is afraid to participate in
elections because we are the majority."

The Democratic Platform - a coalition of opposition
parties, clergy, students and business leaders -
refuses to participate in new legislative elections
unless Aristide resigns. It also wants to set up a
transitional government until new elections can be
held in two years.

Demonstrations against Aristide have surged in the
past four months, some turning violent and claiming
the lives of 47 people.

Pressure has been building on Aristide's government
since his party won 2000 legislative elections that
observers said were flawed.

Members of the opposition coalition are meeting with
Caribbean leaders in Bahamas to address grievances
they have against Aristide.

The Haitian opposition has refused to allow government
representatives participate in the Bahamas session.



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