20018: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Marines (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Three U.S. Marines returned fire during
Sunday's attack on protesters in the Haitian capital, a Marine major said.
It was the first known armed action by U.S. forces sent to stabilize the
country.
   The Marines reacted when gunmen shot at thousands of unarmed
demonstrators who were demanding that ousted President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide be tried for alleged corruption and killings by his armed
militants.
   At least four demonstrators and a foreign journalist were killed in the
attack, and 30 people were injured.
   "Three Marines fired from the palace in the direction from which the
shots were being fired," Marine Maj. Richard Crusan told The Associated
Press.