18559: Walker: Civil war in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Edwin Walker <edwinwalker@earthlink.net>

I have received the following information from a reliable source.

Haitian church leaders are expressing their concern over the current state
of unrest and violence.  The Embassies, both US and Canadian, have sent out
advisories to the citizens of their countries recommending evacuation of
non-essential personnel.   Missionaries are seeking God's will as to leaving
or staying at this point.  Should they wait until the situation degenerates
further or leave now? (Missionaries struggle in classifying themselves as
"non-essential personnel".)  The situation for many is different depending
to a large degree as to where the missionary is located.  Some would have to
travel through the hot zones to get out of Haiti.  Some mission agencies and
national churches are asking that missionaries who decide to stay would sign
a waiver, stating that they decided on their own to do so. It is strongly
advised that groups or visitors not be brought into Haiti at this time.


The present situation is being compared with the ones in 1991 and 1994 and
concluded that this one is far worse than those.  Both conflicting parties
have arms, some are in the hands of children.  Lists with names of people to
be assassinated have been discovered, one with the names of a number of
religious leaders, including Chavannes Jeune.  So far the violence has not
been directed towards foreigners.  A dozen kidnappings of prominent Haitian
business men have taken place with large ransom demands.

Ed