6589: GILMAN, GOSS REPUDIATE LAVALAS THREATS (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Stanley Lucas <slucas@iri.org>

PRESS RELEASE
 
 DATE: January 10, 2001
 FOR RELEASE: Immediate
 CONTACT: Lester Munson 202-225-8097 (les.munson@mail.house.gov)
 
 GILMAN, GOSS REPUDIATE LAVALAS THREATS, EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN
 OPPOSITION
 
 	WASHINGTON (Jan. 10) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), a
 senior member of the House International Relations Committee, and U.S.
 Rep. Porter Goss (R-FL), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee
 on Intelligence, issued the following joint statement today to repudiate
 threats made by violent elements linked to Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide: 
 
 	"The threats made yesterday by the leaders of the so-called 'Young
 People's Power Organization' (JPP) against prominent journalists, the
 hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and civil society and opposition
 political leaders are unacceptable. The long list of political
 assassinations in Haiti is proof enough to believe that these are not idle
 threats.
 
 	"In speaking at the church of Saint Jean Bosco, the men issuing
 these threats clearly suggested to Haitians that they were speaking for
 Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide.  Instead of keeping his promises to President
 Clinton, Mr. Aristide is condoning by his silence thuggish acts of
 violence in his name.
 
 	"Haiti's 1987 Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of
 expression and of assembly. Haiti's journalists, opposition leaders and
 civil and religious leaders have courageously sought to peacefully
 exercise these basic democratic rights. They deserve our support.
 
 	"The government of Haiti and the Haitian National Police are
 responsible for insuring that fundamental human rights are protected. The
 responsibility for preventing the violence that is being threatened lies
 squarely on the shoulders of President Rene Preval and the government of
 Haiti."
 				
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