18464: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Aristide (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 11 (AP) -- President Jean-Bertrand Aristide refused
to step down on Wednesday, saying rebels who have launched a popular
uprising are terrorists.
   "I will leave the palace Feb. 7, 2006," Aristide told reporters in his
first news conference since rebels began an armed revolt last Thursday that
has spread to several towns. At least 46 people have died in the unrest.
   The embattled leader blamed members of an opposition coalition for the
violence. The opposition has distanced itself from the rebels, some of whom
used to back Aristide.
   The opposition has refused to participate in new legislative elections
unless Aristide steps down. Tension has been bubbling in the impoverished
nation since Aristide's party swept flawed legislative elections in 2000.
   "We will not tolerate any type of violence coming from anyone," he said.
"They (the opposition) suffer from a small group of thugs linked to the
opposition ... acting on behalf of the opposition. They are terrorists."
   Haiti has just 5,000 police and no army. Despite rising violence,
Aristide said he would not authorize more force.
   "We prefer to go slowly," he said.
   Haiti has suffered more than 30 coups in 200 years, the last in 1991
when Aristide was ousted just months after becoming the Caribbean nation's
first freely elected leader. Former President Bill Clinton sent 20,000 U.S.
troops in 1994 to restore Aristide.