20296: (Chamberlain) UN says markets stocked (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

(UN News Service)


UN humanitarian team in Haiti says markets stocked, major roads not blocked


12 March 2004 – A United Nations interagency assessment mission in Haiti
has travelled by road to Cap Haitien in the north from the capital,
Port-au-Prince, in the south and found that roadblocks have been removed
and shops are in business.

"The situation in Cap Haitien is calm and commercial activities appeared to
have resumed," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told the press in New York.
"Markets along the road appeared to be well stocked and no roadblocks were
encountered."

The assessment mission expressed concern yesterday that Gonaïves, which was
on their route, might run out of food because of roadblocks.

Following the mission of Wednesday and Thursday, the UN World Food
Programme (WFP) sent a convoy with 10 tons of food to Cap Haitien for
distribution in schools.

Within the capital, more medical aid is being distributed as security
improves, the spokesman reported.

Meanwhile, a security assessment mission left Port-au-Prince to examine the
major road used for moving trade goods between the Dominican Republic and
Haiti, Mr. Eckhard said.

The leader of the UN team, Hocine Medili, held talks today with Haiti's
interim President, Boniface Alexandre, after meeting with Police Chief Leon
Charles, and he was scheduled to meet representatives of the diplomatic
community, including the Organization of American States (OAS), Mr. Eckhard
said.

On his way to Port-au-Prince from New York, Mr. Medili consulted United
States military authorities in Miami, the spokesman said. He arrived in the
capital yesterday and met immediately with UN Resident Coordinator Adama
Guindo and other senior UN officials.