One killed as Haiti police break up anti-Aristide demo

Thursday, January 29, 2004

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): One protester died Wednesday after police fired shots in the air and tear gas to break up the latest demonstration against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the Haitian capital.

Lionel Victor, a 29-year-old law student, died from wounds he suffered when he was hit in the back by a tear gas grenade fired at close range by a presidential palace guard, according to hospital sources.

About 10 demonstrators were injured by stones thrown by armed Aristide supporters and 10 others were arrested by police.

Andre Apaid, an opposition leader, lashed out at the police, calling its actions "revolting."

"The police must understand that there are actions that they cannot take," Apaid said.

He exhorted Justice Minister Calixte Delatour to put an end to such incidents.

"In whose name must blood continue to spill in this country?" Apaid asked while renewing his call for Aristide's resignation.

About 200 students took part in the latest of an almost daily series of protests demanding the resignation of the president amidst failed international mediation attempts.

Eleven people were shot and wounded Tuesday by pro-government militants in the southwestern city of Petit-Goaves. One person was shot dead Monday during clashes between police and an opposition militia in the town of Gonaives.

In the latest troubles, police used tear gas, batons and fired shots in the air to force the students to disperse.

Supporters of Aristide's ruling Lavalas party also hurled rocks at the protesters who jeered the president and carried a coffin intended to symbolise Aristide's funeral.

Aristide, a former priest who had served a five-year term in the 1990's, was elected again in 2000 in a vote deemed flawed by observers. Opposition parties claim Aristide's party rigged the vote.

Protests for and against the government have mounted in recent weeks, with several ending in violence.

Police this week ordered that demonstrations in Port-au-Prince could only be held at the Place d'Italie, a square near the seafront and the city hall. The opposition has condemned the restriction on protests.

The Canadian government Wednesday urged French-speaking nations to become "active" partners to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in order to help solve Haiti's crisis.

Denis Coderre, the Canadian minister responsible for the Francophonie, asked the International Organization for the Francophonie, a group of French-speaking communities, to send a "senior emissary" to Haiti.

"The Francophonie must act fast ... to encourage the Haitian government to guarantee security, respect for human rights and elections," he said. 

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