a146: Haiti-Coup Arrests (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 26 (AP) -- Police detained a U.S. citizen in
connection with last week's attempted coup, police and a relative said
Wednesday.
   Police spokesman Jean-Dady Simeon confirmed that Antoine Saati, 47, a
Miami resident was being held for questioning in connection with the Dec.
17 attack on the National Palace, but he would not give further information
about what role police believe he played.
   "Antoine has nothing to do with the coup d'etat," Gina Saati said. She
said her brother was likely imprisoned because he is involved in litigation
with people linked to the government.
   In the coup attempt, about two dozen gunmen stormed the national palace
and took control for about seven hours before police regained control.
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was not at the palace at the time.
   At least 10 people were killed and nine wounded in the palace attack and
subsequent violence. Five of those killed were attackers and two were
police officers.
   The opposition has accused the government of staging the palace attack
as a pretext to crack down on dissenters.