21847: erzilidanto: Re: The killing of Haitian-American Cassey Auguste (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Erzilidanto@aol.com

Via Fax (fax: 509.223.9665) and e-mail (acspap@state.gov)
Re: Open Letter requesting investigation into killing of Cassey Auguste
to Ambassador James Foley of Haiti

*
To: Ambassador James B. Foley
U.S. Embassy, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

cc: Mr. Conrad Tribble
U.S. Embassy
Port-au-Prince


Dear Ambassador James B. Foley:

The family of Cassey Auguste have contacted us about the killing, on March 3,
2004 of their 20-year old son, an American citizen, who was staying in Haiti
with his Haitian parents. The family is reporting that Cassey Auguste was shot
in cold blood in front of his parents place of business in Haiti because "we
used to serve Lavalas at our business."

Below is Natasha Michaud testimony of the killing of her brother by people,
who some have called "U.S. proxies" in Haiti. Perhaps you would let us know how
an official U.S. Embassy investigation may be initiated in this matter of
utmost importance.  If not, perhaps you may direct us to the appropriate U.S.
Embassy contact person who is charge with such matters. We may provide you with
contact information for the grieving family upon request.

Very Truly Yours,

Marguerite Laurent,
Chair, Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network

cc: Secretary General Powell (via fax - fax: 202.647.2283 )
The Haiti Desk: Joseph Tilghman & Lawrence Connell (via e-mail)
Selected U.S. Congressional Representatives
The Corbett list (via e-mail)
Mainstream media and Human Rights organizations (via e-mail)

****

Testimony of Natasha Michaud -
The killing Cassey Auguste

What happens to Haitians that work all their life in America, and, after
twenty-four years of hard, hard work to make ends meet; to take care of their
family, are still not able to live a comfortable life? Because they are overwhelm
with bills and responsibilities. Most of them are working hard labor and are
being paid minimum wage, their bills are over and above what they are making.

******
My mother, after 24 years of hard, hard work in America - who saw she was not
making any progress - decided to move back to her country that she loves and
always wanted to live in and started a little family business.

After being there for about two years, her young son, Cassey Auguste, decided
to join his mother in fulfilling her dreams.

On March 3, 2004, at 11:30am, Cassey Auguste, my brother, was seating in
front of his mother's family business, SHOKESHA, in Pont Sound, L'artibonite.
Cassey Auguste was seating there, him and his friend who was about the same age -
20 years old. When four vehicles with tinted windows pulled up and called them
- approaching the boys with machine guns. My brother automatically put his
hands up and said "I am an American. I have nothing to do with politics."
His father saw what was going on, ran inside to get Cassey's passport and
showed it to the man. By that time my brother was shot about once or twice. In
this process my mother is screaming and telling them "please don't kill him. You
can take what ever you want please. Please don't kill him. And his father was
trying to show the passport to one of the man. But that did not stop them.
Both boys were killed in cold blood in front of my mother and father. The man
had something like a gun that shoot out water and cleaned the blood.The
bodies were taking to Gonaives where they were dump, and was unable to be located
for about twelve hours. Thanks to this man, a neighbor, who followed the tinted
cars - of which we were told that he has some kind of power that would help
him find the boys and he did.

The men in the car threw the bodies over the mountain and ravines one at a
time apart, distant from each other. The neighbor following saw this. When we
finally located them, the bodies were in very bad condition. We were unable to
have a normal burial for fear of the attention and accusation against these men
with guns and also for security purposed. The boys was just laid to rest with
no funeral. We feared that these people may find out about the funeral and do
some more damage to our lives.

My family - mother and father, are back in America continuing to live a life
of fear and grief. In fear that these man may come back and finish what they
started. My mother is afraid to go back to Haiti and resume her family business
for fear of the rebels, who said we used to serve Lavalas at our business,
coming back to kill and terrorize more members of our family and our close
friends and neighbors.

Natasha Michaud
Dated, April 29, 2004

******