23532: radtimes: Haiti's PM a 'killer' (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: radtimes <resist@best.com>

Haiti's PM a 'killer'

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11137103%255E1702,00.html

 From correspondents in Johannesburg, South Africa
October 21, 2004

HAITI'S former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide lashed out today at his
country's interim prime minister, calling him "a killer".

The accusation followed an angry exchange between the Haitian and South
African governments over allegations Aristide was fomenting violence in the
Caribbean nation from his refuge.

Aristide did not respond to the specific claim in a statement issued today.
But he accused Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue of covering up his
own failure to restore peace with lies.

"Latortue crossed the line. He unleashed a new torrent of repression in
Haiti and is now looking for a scapegoat," Aristide said.

He said Mr Latortue "acknowledged that he is a killer" when he admitted in
a radio interview that government forces opened fire on a September 30
demonstration in which marchers shot and killed three police officers.

At least 55 people have died since September 30, when Aristide loyalists
took to the streets to demand his return to office. The recent violence has
strained the more than 3000 UN peacekeepers in a Brazilian-led force.

"Latortue, stop the lying, stop the killings," Aristide said in today's
statement. "True dialogue is the only solution ... Let us work to bring a
tumultuous bicentennial year to a close with a lasting political solution
that is imperative to the future of our nation."

Aristide was not available for further comment.

Aristide fled Haiti on February 29 as rebels approached the capital of
Port-au-Prince. South Africa offered him temporary asylum, and he arrived
May 31.

The South African government recognises Aristide as the legitimate leader
of Haiti and treats him as a guest of state.

Aristide is currently living in Pretoria, conducting a fairly high-profile
lifestyle. He and his wife, Mildred, were last week appointed honorary
research fellows at the University of South Africa.

Mr Latortue claimed on Sunday that South African President Thabo Mbeki was
allowing Aristide to coordinate violence in Haiti. South Africa's Deputy
Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad on Monday rejected the claim "with contempt".

Opposition leaders in South Africa have called for an investigation into Mr
Latortue's allegations.

.