22691: (Chamberlain) Caribbean ministers urge equal justice in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Joseph Guyler Delva

     PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, July 14 (Reuters) - A group of Caribbean
foreign ministers called on Haiti's interim government on Wednesday to
prosecute criminals equitably as rights groups accused the government of a
double standard.
     The government, led by interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, faces
increasing criticism for allegations it is pursuing allies of former
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, while allowing known criminals -- who
joined the armed rebellion against Aristide in February -- to roam free.
     Ending a two-day fact-finding mission to Haiti, a delegation
representing the Caribbean Community, or Caricom, called for even-handed
justice without explicitly accusing the government of singling out Aristide
supporters.
     "Caricom heads would like to see no reprisals, no persecutions of
political parties, no arbitrary treatment. All known criminals should be
prosecuted according to the law," Barbados Foreign Minister Billie Miller
told reporters at a news conference. She was joined by counterparts from
Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas and Guyana.
     Relations between the 15-nation economic bloc and the poorest nation
in the Americas soured following Aristide's ouster on Feb. 29 in the face
of an armed rebellion in which more than 200 people were killed. Aristide
fled Haiti as rebel soldiers advanced on the capital.
     Caricom leaders expressed concern that Aristide, an elected president,
had been forced from power. Haiti's new government, in turn, was angered
when Aristide took up temporary residence in neighboring Jamaica, a Caricom
member.
     Miller said the foreign ministers wanted to see Haiti return to the
Caricom fold but said "it will be a matter for the heads (of government) to
decide."
     During its visit, the delegation met with Latortue, President Boniface
Alexandre, political leaders opposed to Aristide, Aristide's Lavalas Family
party and representatives of several other sectors in Haiti.