19566: Lemieux: BBC: Rebels parade in Haiti's capital (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

 Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2004/03/01 19:12:15 GMT

Rebels parade in Haiti's capital
The rebels in Haiti who forced its president into exile
have paraded in triumph through the capital city.
Rebel leader Guy Philippe drove into Port-au-Prince in a
convoy of trucks with about 70 armed supporters.

Crowds cheered the rebels outside the presidential palace
of deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

An advance guard of US Marines and French soldiers has
arrived in Haiti to try to restore order as part of a
UN-backed international force.


It was Mr Aristide's decision to resign. We took steps to
protect Mr Aristide and his family so they would not be
harmed as they departed Haiti
Scott McClellan
White House spokesman
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the US was
sending 1,500 to 2,000 troops to serve in the international
force, which would number less than 5,000 troops.

The White House dismissed as "nonsense" claims by
supporters of Mr Aristide that US Marines had forced him to
flee Haiti.

Commenting on the US deployment, US Secretary of State
Colin Powell said: "I don't think there will be a great
deal of fighting, but they have to be prepared for that".

The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in Port-au-Prince, says a carnival
atmosphere greeted the rebels' arrival.

Mr Philippe's first stop was a police station in the
capital. He says he wants to work with Haiti's police force
and the international troops to restore security.

Command centre

US Marines have already set up a command centre in the
airport's VIP lounge.

The first groups of about 50 French soldiers, the US
Marines and Canadian forces already on the ground will be
followed by reinforcements in a mission backed by the
United Nations.



MULTINATIONAL FORCE
US Marines
Canadian special forces
French troops
French police
More countries expected to join later


Several hundred French soldiers were expected to arrive in
Haiti by Monday night, and Paris has also dispatched a
platoon of police officers from a special riot control
unit.

A United Nations "assessment team" is expected to leave New
York for Haiti within days, charged with preparing the way
for UN peacekeepers.

Our correspondent says any amateur soldiers roaming the
capital's lawless streets are likely to capitulate when
faced with professionals from an international force.

Violence flared in the city after Mr Aristide fled the
country, with some of the widespread looting and
destruction apparently a frustrated response to the ceding
of power.

Mr Aristide, his wife and three children arrived in the
Central African Republic on Monday. It is not yet clear
whether they will stay there or seek asylum in a third
country.

Military arrivals

Canadian special forces are also at Port-au-Prince airport,
where they are helping Canadian nationals who wish to leave
Haiti.

US defence officials say the US will take initial command
of the multinational force, though that could change once
the full UN operation begins.


As well as trying to restore peace in Port-au-Prince, the
US Marines will help to deliver humanitarian assistance and
repatriate any Haitians caught at sea.
The UN Security Council unanimously authorised a force to
stay in Haiti for up to three months to restore security
and stability on Sunday night.

It is expected to be followed by a UN stabilisation force,
probably including civilian police, which has no time
limit.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the international
community needed to make a long-term commitment to help
Haiti "over the long haul".


Calls for peace

All sides in the Haitian conflict have also called for
peace.

Guy Philippe, who had been massing his men for an assault
on the capital, welcomed the foreign intervention, said:
"We just want peace."

Interim leader Boniface Alexandre warned that the future
would be difficult.

"Haiti is in crisis... It needs all its sons and daughters.
No-one should take justice into their own hands," he urged.


Mr Aristide issued a statement from his temporary shelter
in the Central African Republic, criticising the rebels who
prompted the crisis by seizing towns and cities across the
north in a month-long uprising.

"In overthrowing me, they cut down the tree of peace," he
was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

"But it will grow again, because the roots are
well-planted."

The violent protests stemmed from disputed elections in
2000, which the opposition says were rigged.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3523799.stm

Published: 2004/03/01 19:12:15 GMT

© BBC MMIV


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