9848: Haitian journalist killed in political unrest (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A Haitian radio journalist
has been hacked to death with a machete during a political disturbance in
the southern coastal city of Petit Goave, private Radio Signal FM reported
on Tuesday.
     The journalist, Brignol Lindor, was killed on Monday during a street
clash between supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas
Family party and the political opposition bloc Democratic Convergence, the
radio station said.
     No arrests had been made in connection with the killing in Petit Goave
50 miles (80 km) southwest of the capital.
     Lindor was a reporter for private Radio Echo 200 and had previously
worked for Radio Signal FM. He also was a part-time customs worker.
     The Miami-based Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemned what
it described as the assassination of Lindor and urged the authorities to
investigate it.
     It said he was traveling with his driver through Petit-Goave when he
was ambushed. The attackers were local government supporters, according to
friends and relatives, IAPA said.
     Lindor's popular talk had received frequent threats, it added.
     IAPA President Robert Cox said in a statement: "This new murder adds
to the threats and attacks that the independent Haitian press has been
suffering in the past months."
     The melee on Monday was one in a series of street battles between
political partisans since disputed elections in May 2000 prompted other
nations to suspend $500 million in desperately needed international aid and
loans to Haiti.
     The opposition alleges that the election was rigged to give Lavalas a
bigger majority in Parliament than it actually won, and has called for
civil disobedience in protest.
     Cesar Gaviria, Secretary-General of the Organization of American
States, visited Haiti last week to urge the two sides to reach an agreement
before year's end. Though seven senators elected during the disputed tally
have since vacated their seats to clear the way for new elections, little
progress has been made and the foreign aid remains frozen.