23800: (press release) Esser: Rep. Waters Urges Pres. Bush to Ensure that Interim Govnmt of Haiti Protects Imprisoned Officials (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser <torx@joimail.com>

For Immediate Release                          
(323) 757-8900

November 12, 2004                                                      

CONGRESSWOMAN WATERS URGES PRESIDENT BUSH
TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT OF HAITI
PROTECTS IMPRISONED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

     Washington, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) sent a
letter to President Bush, urging him to take action to protect Prime
Minister Yvon Neptune, Interior Minister Jocelerme Privert and other
Lavalas supporters whose lives appear to be in danger in Haiti. 
Copies of the letter were sent to Secretary of State Colin Powell,
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and National Security Advisor
Condoleezza Rice.  The text of the letter follows:

    "I write to express my grave concerns about possible plots to
assassinate Lavalas officials and supporters who are currently
imprisoned in Haiti.  I urge you to take immediate action to protect
Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, Interior Minister Jocelerme Privert and
other Lavalas supporters whose lives appear to be in danger.

     "According to press reports, several Haitian police officers
are now under investigation over a suspected plot to kill imprisoned
Lavalas supporters, including Prime Minister Neptune and Interior
Minister Privert.  Both ministers served in the government of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and were arrested during the months
following his ouster.  Police authorities in Haiti refused to comment
on the reports regarding the plot to kill Lavalas supporters, and the
officers suspected in this plot have not been taken into custody.

    "Since the ouster of President Aristide on February 29, 2004,
I have written several letters to Secretary of State Colin Powell
concerning the increasing violence in Haiti and the persecution and
imprisonment of Haitians who served in President Aristide's
government or who support the Lavalas party. 

    "On October 27, 2004, I was joined by thirty other Members of
Congress in a letter to Secretary Powell urging him to call for the
release of Prime Minister Neptune, Interior Minister Privert, Senator
Yvon Feuillé, Deputy Rudy Hérivaux, Father Gerard Jean-Juste, Anne
Auguste (So Anne), and other political prisoners who are unlawfully
detained in Haiti.  All of these individuals remain in prison in
Haiti without justification and under intolerable conditions. 
Unfortunately, we have not received any response to our letter.
 
     "I implore you to intervene with the interim government of
Haiti to save the lives of Prime Minister Neptune, Interior Minister
Privert, and other Lavalas supporters whose lives appear to be in
danger.  The United States must not stand by idly while former
government leaders are assassinated in a country with a government
that is supported by the United States.  Please take all steps
necessary to protect Lavalas officials and supporters, and contact me
as soon as possible to discuss the steps being taken by your
Administration to protect human rights in Haiti.  I look forward to a
prompt response."
.