29705: (news) Chamberlain: Haiti-Police Clash (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 20 (AP) -- Two people were injured when an angry mob
clashed with police Wednesday while officers tried to transfer two men
suspected of attempting to kidnap a child, witnesses said.
   The melee erupted when a crowd of several hundred people descended on
the police station to demand the suspects be released so they could be
lynched, witnesses said.
   At least two men were wounded by gunfire when Haitian and U.N. police
fired shots and tear gas to disperse the crowd, according to two Associated
Press photographers at the scene. It was unclear who shot the men and their
condition was not immediately known.
   A U.N. vehicle was also set on fire and destroyed during the fracas.
   Haitian police spokesman Frantz Lerebours said the two kidnapping
suspects were later transferred to another jail and were being held for
questioning.
   Kidnappings are a major threat in the Haitian capital and both the U.N.
and national police have recently launched operations in recent weeks
intended to crack down on the problem.