18938: (Chamberlain) U.S.-led mission seeks end to Haiti bloodshed (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Michael Christie

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb 21 (Reuters) - International mediators led
by the United States began urgent efforts on Saturday to broker an end to
political turmoil in Haiti that erupted two weeks ago into an armed revolt
in the poor Caribbean country.
     U.S., Canadian, French and regional officials flew into the tense
capital, Port-au-Prince, to persuade President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to
agree to set up a new government acceptable to the opposition and disarm
government gangs.
     There appeared to be little optimism for a quick resolution from the
discussions.
     "I don't think it's realistic to talk about optimism, there's  hope,
that's all," said a western diplomat of the prospects for Saturday's talks.
     Aristide, a former parish priest once regarded as a champion of
democracy in the Americas' poorest country, has been in a deadlock with
political opponents since flawed parliamentary elections four years ago.
     The president's critics accuse him of becoming a dictator and using
political violence to suppress dissent. Aristide made it clear this week he
has no intention of leaving, saying he was "willing to die if that is what
it takes to defend the country."
     Months of street protests, frequently attacked by armed Aristide
loyalists, erupted into full revolt on Feb. 5 when an armed gang that once
supported Aristide kicked police out of the city of Gonaives.
     The rebellion spread through the northwest and center, killing more
than 50 people, including over 20 police.
     On Friday, government street toughs armed with guns, rocks and
machetes attacked an opposition student march, injuring at least 17 people,
as foreigners heeded their governments' advice and fled the country.
     Saturday's talks focused on brokering a deal between Aristide and the
political opposition -- business leaders, politicians and civil activists
whom Aristide dismisses as a wealthy mulatto elite virulently opposed to
Haiti being run by its poor, black majority.
     But the armed rebels, who have been joined by former soldiers from the
disbanded army and a leader of a death squad that terrorized the country
during a military dictatorship in the early 1990s, said they might accept
such a deal if it meets their demands for Aristide to resign.
     The political opposition has also steadfastly clung to a demand that
the president step down, a stance that has hampered past negotiations and
placed a major obstacle in the way of Saturday's talks.
     The U.S. delegation was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger Noriega, the Canadians by the minister
responsible for Francophonie, or French-speaking countries, and the French
-- Haiti's colonial masters 200 years ago -- by their ambassador in
Port-au-Prince.
     It included delegates from the Organization of American States and the
15-member Caribbean Community, or Caricom, and planned to meet first with
Aristide and then with the opposition.
     "We want to make sure that we bring back democracy, respect the rights
and freedoms of the people of Haiti," Canadian minister Denis Coderre told
reporters at the airport, adding that the delegation was there to respect
the constitution, not ask for Aristide's head.
     Noriega did not speak to reporters and was whisked away from the
airport under intense security.
     The peace proposal is based on a plan already presented to Aristide by
Caricom, and involves setting up a broadly acceptable government advisory
body, selecting a new, neutral prime minister and cabinet, disarming gangs
and reforming the corrupt and poorly trained police.
     Aristide had previously accepted the proposals although Washington has
accused him of not living up to his promises. The political opposition has
hitherto rejected them out of hand because they do not involve Aristide
stepping down.
     Aristide first took office in 1991 but was ousted in a coup months
later. He was restored to power by a U.S. invasion in 1994, and re-elected
to a second term in 2000, but those elections were boycotted by the
opposition.