26323: Craig (news) Latin & Caribbean Briefs (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From:  Dan Craig <sak-pase@bimini.ws>

Posted on Sun, Sep. 25, 2005
HAITI

Latin & Caribbean Briefs
> From Herald Wire Services

PORT-AU-PRINCE - American businessman
fights to get on ballot

Haiti's electoral council winnowed the list of 54 people who had registered to 
run for president, and approved only 32 candidates.

It excluded Dumarsais Simeus, the owner of a Texas-based food services company, 
saying he can't run because he has U.S. citizenship.

Those who will be allowed to run include former President René Préval, a 
one-time close ally of ousted former President Jean Bertrand Aristide; Prime 
Minister Marc Bazin, who is running as a candidate of a moderate faction of 
Aristide's Lavalas Family party; and former President Leslie Manigat.

Other major candidates include Guy Philippe, a leader of the rebellion that 
forced Aristide from power; and Charles Henry Baker, a wealthy businessman and 
prominent member of Haiti's business establishment.

Simeus said he will do ''everything possible,'' including filing a legal 
challenge, to overturn the decision to strike his name from the list of 
presidential candidates in the Nov. 20 election.

The council, which rejected 22 presidential candidates, also excluded Louis 
Gerald Gilles, a former senator and prominent moderate figure of Aristide's 
party.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/12735332.htm