[News] Prensa Latina: Crisis in Haiti Worsens with Repressors Now On-stage

[News at freedomarchives.org]

Crisis in Haiti Worsens with Repressors Now On-stage
http://www.plenglish.com/print.asp?ID={6DEA3B34-67F3-4C84-842E-D7BBB03B0015}&language=EN&user=guest

Port au Prince, Feb 19 (PL) The alarmingly dangerous crisis in Haiti has 
become even more critical with reports that convicted human rights 
violators have returned from exile to challenge the government of Haitian 
President Jean-Betrand Aristide. Haitian Crisis Tops OAS Agenda

Both the level of violence and lack of basic supplies, especially in the 
north and central parts of the country, are creating fears of a major sea 
exodus by Haitians, who find refuge across the border into the Dominican 
Republic closed to them.

Ex chief of the paramilitary Front for Advancement and Progress in Haiti 
under Duvalier, Louis Jodel Chamblain, in exile in the Dominican Republic 
on charges of committing atrocities, along with ex military police chief 
Guy Philippe and convicted mass murderer Jean Pierre Baptiste, have been 
reported to have taken central Hinche, with plans to attack Cap-Haitien, 
the second largest city in Haiti.

CARICOM, the Caribbean Community of which Haiti is a member, proposed to 
mediate the conflict with reforms including new parliamentary elections to 
which Aristide agreed, but the opposition insists that he must resign, to 
which he will not agree.

Meanwhile US officials have been reportedly planning to set up a temporary 
detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -where prisoners of the Afghan and 
Iraqi wars are held- to hold any Haitians intercepted attempting to reach 
the United States.

The Haitians fleeing 12 years ago after the military coup overthrew 
Aristide were detained to the strong protest of human rights groups at that 
US violation of international laws granting refugees the right of asylum.

The Bush administration, disillusioned with Aristide´s rule, is reportedly 
debating internally options for helping foster a switch of leaders in Haiti.

mh/ccs



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