19210: Slavin: BBC on PauP, JBA, and Dominique de Villepin 022504 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: PSlavin@unicefusa.org

On Wednesday French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin condemned Mr
Aristide: "He bears grave responsibility for the current situation. It is
up to him to draw the conclusions within the bounds of the law."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/3487472.stm


Chaos and fear grip Haiti capital
Looting has erupted in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, which advancing
rebels have vowed to capture.

Supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide erected barricades across
the city after the political opposition rejected an international peace
plan.

France has called for a foreign force to restore order immediately, and
blamed Mr Aristide for the crisis.

But US President George W Bush said an international security presence
should come only after a peace settlement.


Mr Bush also warned Haitians not to try to flee the country.

Two car dealers were looted and gunfire was reported in Port-au-Prince on
Wednesday, AFP news agency reported on Wednesday.


The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Port-au-Prince says many militiamen, wearing ski
masks, have been stopping cars, threatening and sometimes robbing the
passengers.

Foreigners are trying to flee to the airport. A group of non-essential UN
personnel asked for protection from US marines to get there.

'First things first'

On Wednesday French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin called for an
"immediate" international civilian force to restore order.

He also condemned Mr Aristide, hinting strongly that he should resign.


"He bears grave responsibility for the current situation. It is up to him
to draw the conclusions within the bounds of the law," Mr de Villepin said.


The statement came after President Bush said the crisis might require
international intervention - but only once a peace deal had been reached.

"Incident to a political settlement, we will encourage the international
community to provide a security presence," the US president told reporters.
"First things first".

He said State Department officials were still working to win acceptance of
the settlement plan, which is also supported by Canada and the European
Union.

The plan, which involves a coalition government, has been accepted by Mr
Aristide.

But Haiti's political opposition - which does not support the rebels - has
rejected it, insisting the president should step down.

Keep out

Ten years ago President Bill Clinton despatched 20,000 US troops to Haiti
to restore President Aristide to power.


BBC Pentagon correspondent Nick Childs says the US is reluctant to
intervene now because it sees the situation as much more complicated than
in 1994, when a democratic government was waiting in the wings.

The US military is also overstretched and is reluctant to take on
additional missions, our correspondent adds.

On Wednesday Mr Bush also reaffirmed that Haitians should not try to flee
to the US.

"I have made it abundantly clear to the Coast Guard that we will turn back
any refugee that attempts to reach our shore," he said.

The rebels have captured the northern half of Haiti since the uprising was
launched in early February.

The insurgents are a coalition of former Aristide supporters and exiled
soldiers who served under the military junta ousted in 1994.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/3487472.stm

Published: 2004/02/25 21:49:23 GMT

© BBC MMIV