19096: (Chamberlain) Jamaica-Haiti-Refugees (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By HOWARD CAMPBELL

   KINGSTON, Feb 23 (AP) -- Thirty-two more Haitian migrants reached
Jamaica by boat Monday, bringing to 62 the number arriving since rebels
mounted an assault against Haiti's government.
   The refugees represent the largest influx of Haitians to Jamaica since
thousands fled here in the mid-1990s after Aristide was ousted in a
military coup.
   The 17 men, eight women and seven children arrived Monday in a rickety
sailboat near the coastal town of Manchioneal, about 100 miles east of
Haitian shores, police said.
   Local fishermen helped the Haitians ashore and authorities took them
into custody. Jamaican authorities are reviewing their asylum request.
   On Thursday, 20 gaunt and scantily clad Haitians landed near the same
town and are receiving shelter. Five days earlier, 10 Haitians, including
eight police officers, fled to Jamaica seeking asylum after being attacked
by rebels seeking to oust Aristide, officials said.
   The Dominican Republic warned Monday it couldn't handle a large influx
of Haitians and has announced steps to fortify its 225-mile border with its
impoverished neighbor.
   U.S. authorities have also increased patrols around Haiti's waters for
signs of fleeing migrants, but haven't reported a significant increase in
the number of Haitians detained.