[News] Haiti: PM Neptune asks opposition to accept peace plan, opposition refuses

[News at freedomarchives.org]

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AHP News - February 23, 2004 - English translation (Unofficial)
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Prime Minister Yvon Neptune calls on the opposition Platform to adopt the 
plan proposed as a way out of the crisis by the international community, 
and thus put an end to the escalation of terrorist violence
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Port-au-Prince, February 23, 2004 -(AHP)- Prime Minister Yvon Neptune 
called Monday on the opposition political Platform to adopt the proposal 
put forward by the international community as a way out of the crisis in 
order to bring to an end the escalation of terrorist violence and to take 
part in the efforts to enable the Haitian people to participate in the 
construction of a State based on the rule of law.

" We are asking the opposition Platform to draw inspiration from the 
example of wisdom on the part of President Aristide, to join in endorsing 
the peace plan of the international community, which calls for compromise 
and sacrifice on the part of both parties", declared Mr. Neptune.

On Sunday, armed men claiming to be with the opposition took another step 
by forcing their way into Cap Haitien (the country's second city), where 
they killed at least ten people, and looted as well as burned public 
offices and radio stations owned by supporters of the governing power.

The Prime Minister said he deplores that drug and arms traffickers together 
with former members of the FRAPH terrorist group continue to sow death in 
the North, the Artibonite and the Central Plateau.

" The terrorists have destroyed all the sources of life for the population 
in Hinche and Cap-haïtien. They paralyzed all access to water, food, health 
care, schools and electricity," said an indignant Yvon Neptune, affirming 
that it is to preserve the constitutional right of the Haitian people to 
choose their representatives in the elections that President Aristide 
signed the proposal for resolving the crisis presented by the international 
community.

Mr. Neptune said that the authorities are working together with the police 
to find the resources to prevent the drug traffickers and the former 
members of FRAPH from continuing to commit murders and burn down police 
stations and government offices.

" We are asking the entire population to remain mobilized in a peaceful 
manner to thwart the terrorist plan", said the head of the government, who 
also pointed out that the international community has taken on commitments 
to the Haitian people.

AHP has learned that some fifty U.S. Marines are expected to arrive in 
Port-au-Prince at any moment.



AHP February 23, 2004  3:00 PM



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The political Platform of the 184 rejects the plan by the international 
community for ending the crisis
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Port-au-Prince, February 23, 2004 -(AHP)- The political Platform of the 184 
rejected Monday the peace plan proposed by the international community, 
accusing the diplomats of having failed to call for the departure of 
President  Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The President formally approved the plan on Saturday. Among its provisions, 
the plan calls for President Aristide to serve out his term in office, 
which expires in February, 2006.

The Platform made a counter-proposal containing more than ten provisions to 
be implemented between now and March 15 including the nomination of a Prime 
Minister based on a list to be submitted by the Platform as well as the 
naming of a new president.

And it is only after the new government has been established that the 
opposition would call for an end to the violence, said the leaders of the 
opposition.

The number one official in the Platform, André Apaid Jr, accused President 
Aristide of being responsible for violence committed in Gonaives, 
Cap-Haïtien and elsewhere by armed men claiming to be with the opposition.

These individuals on Sunday killed at least ten members of the Cap-Haitien 
population, burned and looted public offices, and radio and television 
stations owned by supporters of the governing party, Lavalas. They also 
released many prisoners including drug traffickers.

For his part, former Senator Paul Denis said that President Aristide has 
not respected the commitments he took  vis-à-vis the international 
community with regard to the political crisis.

The violence will not cease until after the departure of President 
Aristide, he asserted, while proclaiming that the Platform of the 184 is 
carrying out a peaceful struggle.

Asked to condemn the abuses committed by men claiming to be with the 
opposition, another leader of the opposition,  Evans Paul said only that 
his coalition has received guarantees from the armed bands that they will 
put down their weapons immediately after the departure of the Chief of State.

"They made promises to us; why shouldn't we trust them", said Evans Paul.

Leaders of the Platform have refused to communicate the contents of a new 
document submitted by the international community which is said to give the 
opposition additional guarantees to encourage them to endorse the latest 
proposal for a way out of the crisis.

Evans Paul promised to provide details of this document at a news 
conference to be held at the end of the afternoon for the foreign press.

"I don't know if we will have time to do it", he said, without further 
clarification. Many took this to mean that he was referring to the threats 
of the armed men who announced Saturday that they would march on the capital.

Members of populist organization and of civil society have decreed a 
mobilization to prevent, they said, armed partisans of the opposition from 
carrying out their macabre plan.

" There is nothing that we would not do in order not to go back into hiding 
and protect the public from members of FRAPH and the former armed forces of 
Haiti, warned groups of men who erected barricades Sunday in 
the  Canapé-Vert area.

Reliable sources indicated Sunday to AHP that the armed men who are 
operating in Gonaïves have exerted pressure on the leaders of the Platform 
in Port-au-Prince to persuade them to reject the plan of the international 
community.

On the previous day, an opposition spokesperson in Gonaïves, Buteur 
Métayer, wondered what would happen to him if the Platform were to come to 
an understanding with the government authorities.

The peace plan submitted to the parties in the conflict  makes no reference 
to the armed bands that took the population of Gonaïves hostage.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had indicated Saturday that "it is 
time for the opposition to realize that its grievances, whether legitimate 
or not, will not be dealt with if they fall in league with thugs and 
murderers".

In Haïti, numerous sectors expect that the international community will 
shoulder its responsibilities in light of the violence committed by the 
armed bands led by members of the former army and the "FRAPH terrorist 
group" and also in light of the refusal by the opposition to favor a 
peaceful outcome to the crisis.

Despite the violence, several hundred thousand Haitians took part in the 
third evening of the Haitian Carnaval. However, a homemade explosive device 
set by unknown individuals exploded, killing one person and leaving several 
injured.



AHP February 23, 2004  2:35 PM
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