26990: Craig (news) UN probes death of Canadian in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

UN probes death of Canadian in Haiti
Last Updated Wed, 21 Dec 2005 14:17:49 EST
CBC News <http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html>

United Nations security officials have entered Haiti's largest slum to look for 
the killers of retired RCMP officer Mark Bourque.


The 57-year old and another Canadian officer were driving close to the slum on 
the outskirts of Port-au-Prince when they came under attack Tuesday morning.

Bourque was shot in the leg, and later died of his injuries.

"We've been able to go into Cité Soleil and arrest gang leaders," said UN 
spokesperson David Wimhurst. "It's an extremely dangerous operation. They're 
heavily armed and they fire upon UN soldiers who are involved in these 
operations."

Wimhurst said forensic experts will examine bullet fragments found in Bourque's 
car. "From that we may be able to start to get a picture of who was involved."

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said Canada is working with both the 
UN and the Haitian government to find the gunmen.

He said his department is advising people to be "very wary" of travelling to 
Haiti unless it's absolutely necessary. "It is a very volatile situation."

Gaston Desormeaux, and president of the Montreal RCMP Veterans' Association and 
a friend of Bourque's for more than 20 years, said the shooting will make other 
French-speaking Canadian officers think twice before going to the Caribbean 
nation.

Bourque, who was from Stoneham, Que., was in Haiti as part of the United 
Nations Stabilization Mission to help train local police officers ahead of the 
country's Jan. 8 presidential elections.

There are 125 active and retired RCMP officers on duty in the Caribbean nation 
as part of an international police force that is trying to bring order ahead of 
the vote.

Haitian journalist Guyler Delva said Cite Soleil is a "dangerous place for 
everyone." He said the gangs often block roads to prevent UN vehicles from 
getting through.

"There have been numerous kidnappings and attacks on citizens and UN security 
agents. Gangs have on several occasions shot at UN troops and police because 
they think those guys are their enemies."

Pettigrew said the shooting won't alter Canada's commitment to security in 
Haiti. "We are committed to improve the security so those elections are held," 
he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/12/21/bourque051221.html