21608: Esser: Ex-rebels in the Central Plateau against deployment of police (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse

April 27, 2004

Ex-rebels in the Central Plateau are against any deployment of
national policemen in their department


Port-au-Prince, April 27, 2004(AHP)- Ex rebels in the Central
Plateau, most of whom are former militaries, gave Tuesday a serious
warning against any deployment of national policemen in this
department.

According to them, they are the only ones who can ensure the
population's security appropriately.

The former militaries, who said they were angry after the arrest of 6
of their comrades in Port-au-Prince, declared that any decision to
deploy national policemen in the area again would be perilous.

Even though they reached an agreement with the interim authorities
for the deployment of Chilean militaries in the region, they kept
their arms.

Their spokesperson in this department, Joseph Jean Baptiste, had
reaffirmed last week his men's refusal to put down the arms and to
join in the national police. At the same time, he had announced the
former militaries' intention to participate in the next elections on
all levels.

Ex-rebels leaders in the Artibonite Winter Etienne had also announced
their intention to go to the elections.
.