21644: (Chamberlain) Haitian party refuses to join elections council (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By AMY BRACKEN

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, April 30 (AP) -- Members of ousted Haiti President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide's political party refused Friday to join a council
overseeing new elections unless the nation's interim leaders agreed to
protect their political movement.
   The announcement came as the U.N. Security Council authorized a
wide-ranging mission of more than 8,000 troops and police to help stabilize
the troubled Caribbean nation. The U.N. mission will start June 1 and last
for at least six months.
   Haitian leaders have been trying to organize fresh polls since
Aristide's Lavalas Family party swept disputed legislative elections in
2000. Elections are scheduled for next year.
   After the victory, senators who won disputed seats agreed to step down,
but the opposition refused to participate in new elections, saying
balloting would not be free and fair because of widespread insecurity and
pro-Aristide gangs.
   Now, Lavalas refuses to participate for those same reasons. The council
is set to meet Saturday.
   Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue pressured Lavalas to name a
representative to the council.
   But Lavalas said it would name a member to the council if Latortue
signed an agreement protecting Lavalas members, halting illegal arrests and
disarming rebels and gangs who drove Aristide from power on Feb. 29 during
a three-week armed revolt.
   Latortue said he agreed to the demands in principle, but he would not
sign the document before Lavalas named someone to the council.
   "We are through with negotiating," said Latortue adviser Paul Magloire,
adding that the electoral council would begin work Saturday.