21611: Esser: New attacks on police (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haītienne de Presse

April 26, 2004

Members of the former opposition spread fear at the Gonaīves; former
rebels of the Northern army demonstrate against disarmament and the
PNH at Cap-Haītien


Port-au-Prince, April 26, 2004 -(AHP)- The members of the former
opposition at the Gonaīves lead this Sunday an attack on this city's
police station. 

During this intervention, the 20-men commando disarmed police
officers, freed prisoners and stole vehicles from the police
station's yard.

Many prisoners said they feared for their lives, since it was
incredibly easy for the commando to invade the police station.  

The officers at the Gonaīves police station said they had never
imagined this kind of thing would keep happening after President
Aristide's departure. 

This situation caused great stress among the population of the city
of Independence. 

Members of the French contingent intervened to calm things down, but
only after the harm was done, some citizens said.

On their part, the Northern rebels took to the streets Sunday to show
their refusal to hand over their weapons.

These rebels backed by supporters of the former opposition's platform
walked many streets in the city to ask for the dismantling of the
national police to be replaced by the former Haitian army.

Demonstrators were hostile in their statements towards the
international force and national police officers, who cannot ensure
security for the population, they said. 

On another note, the official of the resistance front of Artibonite,
Winter Etienne, announced last weekend that his organization would be
a part of the upcoming elections. 

Winter Etienne said the former rebels would be present at all levels
during these elections.

He said he took this decision after a national tour of the front.

The former rebel, who is negotiating with judiciary power for the
return in prison of confirmed criminal Jean Tatoune, is determined to
change the status of his partners in fight. 

Last week, a former convict by contumacy for various crimes, Louis
Jodel Chamblin, decided to turn himself in, after 2 negotiating
sessions with the Minister of Justice.
.