24439: (news) Chamberlain: Haiti-Protest (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By STEVENSON JACOBS

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 4 (AP) -- More than 2,000 supporters of ousted
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched through a slum in Haiti's capital
Friday, accusing police of killing two men during a recent protest.
   Watched by dozens of U.N. troops, the demonstration snaked peacefully
through the trash-strewn streets of Bel Air, five days after witnesses
accused police of firing at protesters marking the one-year anniversary of
Aristide's ouster.
   Two of the protesters lay dead after the shooting, though police denied
involvement.
   Chants of "too much blood!" rose from the crowd as protesters called
Friday for an end to the U.S.-backed interim government.
   "We are living a nightmare under this de facto government. All they do
is kill Aristide supporters," said Bolivard Yvena, a 24-year-old Bel Air
resident with a photo of Aristide taped to her chest.
   Haitian police agreed to stay away to avoid more clashes, said Dan
Moskaluk, a spokesman for the U.N. Civilian Police force. Moskaluk, who
estimated up to 2,500 people marched, said U.N. officials have not
determined if police fired on protesters Monday, but he acknowledged there
was concern over their use of force.
   The 7,400-member U.N. peacekeeping force and the interim government are
struggling to contain violence ahead of promised general elections this
fall.
   Several parts of the country remain under the control of former soldiers
and gangsters who led the three-week rebellion that ousted Aristide on Feb.
29, 2004 -- raising concerns about their ability to sway elections.
   More than 400 people have been killed in Port-au-Prince since Aristide
loyalists -- including armed gangs -- intensified protests four months ago
to demand his return.