Policeman killed as unrest continues in Haiti

Sunday, February 1, 2004

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): A Haitian policeman was the latest victim of violent political unrest that has swept this impoverished Caribbean state, Haitian radio reported.

Radio Vision 2000 said the policeman was shot dead overnight in the southwestern coastal city of Miragoane as he intervened in a clash that broke out at a funeral attended by government loyalists.

The policeman's death capped a week of violent skirmishes across Haiti. On Wednesday a 29-year-old law student was killed in the capital when police fired shots in the air and tear gas to break up protests against President Jean Bertrand anti-Aristide.

Aristide was to hold talks later Saturday with Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson, the head of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) group, in the Jamaican capital in a bid to resolve his country's crisis.

Meanwhile, reports from the northern city of Cap Haitien said government loyalists had brutally dispersed an anti-Aristide rally with bullets, rocks and bottles.

Opposition supporters there said two people were wounded in the confrontation, and that a policeman had been injured by a thrown rock.

Friday, the United States moved to reduce its diplomatic presence in Haiti citing ongoing civil unrest. 

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