25171: Hermantin (News)HUNGER STRIKER WELL, PRIME MINISTER SAYS (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

HAITI

HUNGER STRIKER WELL, PRIME MINISTER SAYS

PORT-AU-PRINCE -- A jailed former prime minister who has been on a hunger
strike for more than a month is not in danger of dying, interim Prime
Minister Gerard Latortue said Saturday.

Former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune is drinking water with sugars, salts and
vitamins and his condition is stable, Latortue said.

''There is absolutely no risk of death,'' he said Saturday. ``And the
government would never even let that risk happen.''

Latortue's remarks contradicted family members and other visitors who say
Neptune is weak and nearing death.

Neptune, 58, has been jailed for nearly 11 months without charge in
connection with political killings.