24560: (news) Chamberlain: Haiti-Protest

[sak-pase@bimini.ws]

Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

  By STEVENSON JACOBS

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 24 (AP) -- Police opened fire Thursday during a
street march in Haiti's capital to demand the return of ousted President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Witnesses said at least one person was killed.
  The shooting follows a week of violence that saw two U.N. peacekeepers
and two ex-soldiers killed in clashes. The violence has also heightened
tensions ahead of fall elections and underscores the shaky security climate
in Haiti more than a year after Aristide's ouster in an armed uprising.
  Thursday's protest started peacefully in the seaside slum of Cite Soleil
with thousands of marchers chanting "Aristide forever!" and waving photos
of the deposed leader.
  Several gunshots rang out as the demonstrators approached the local
police station, sending demonstrators fleeing. Protesters said the shots
were fired by an anti-Aristide street gang. The gunfire apoparently didn't
injure shooting.
  But a short while later, police began shooting as a group of protesters
reached a main avenue leading to the international airport, killing one
man, witnesses said. Associated Press reporters saw police firing into the
air and toward protesters.
  Charles Christner, a 34-year-old school principal, said he had just
stepped off a bus when he was shot in the arm. "All of the sudden I saw the
police shooting and I got hit."
  Police and U.N. representatives weren't immediately available for
comment.
  While dozens of police monitored the rrotest route Thursday, few U.N.
peacekeepers were seen -- a marked difference from recent demonstrations.
  Peacekeepers and interim authorities are struggling to disarm street
gangs and ex-soldiers blamed for hundreds of recent killings and many fear
the violence could spill over into elections in October and November.