21486: Esser: AJH denounces death threats against journalists and media correspondents (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse

April, 20 2004

The secretary general of the AJH denounces death threats against
journalists and media correspondents in several parts of the country

Port-au-Prince, April 20,  2004 -(AHP)- Guyler C. Delva, Secretary
General of the AJH (Association of Haitian Journalists) denounced
Tuesday the death threats to which journalists and media
correspondents have been subject across the country.

M. Delva above all accused the armed bands operating in various
places around the country, notably the ex-rebels who took up arms
against President Aristide as part of the opposition's campaign to
overthrow the president.

The AJH Secretary general deplored that media correspondents have
been silenced as a result of the threats made against them.

"We have even intervened with them to settle a score against some of
our members when they wished to endanger our movement", reported Mr.
Delva, referring to one of the ex-rebels in the Central Plateau.

It was the ex-rebels based in Mirebalais who had abducted the Radio
Solidarite correspondent in that region on Friday.

Mr. Delva affirmed that he had met with President Boniface Alexandre
and interim Prime Minister Gérard Latortue regarding the need to
re-establish order in the country and enabling journalists to carry
out their work without threats and persecution.

Guy Delva also appealed to the authorities to re-launch the cases of
the murders of the founder/general manager of Radio Haïti Inter, Jean
Léopold Dominique as well as Brignol Lindor. 
.