[News] Haiti update
News at freedomarchives.org
News at freedomarchives.org
Thu Jul 15 08:51:48 EDT 2004
AHP News - July 13, 2004 - English translation (Unofficial)
The tumultuous relations between CARICOM and the Latortue government: a
delegation of CARICOM foreign ministers is now in Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince, July 13, 2004 (AHP)-A delegation of CARICOM foreign
affairs ministers arrived in Port-au-Prince on a 24 hour mission.
The delegation, led by Dame Billy Miller, Foreign Minister of Barbados,
held a working session with the leader of the interim government, Gérard
Latortue.
No reports have yet emerged from the meeting, which lasted at least two
hours. The agenda for the meeting has also not yet been disclosed.
The president of the CARICOM delegation, Mme. Miller, promised that she
would report on the talks she had with Gérard Latortue at a Wednesday
press conference to be held at the airport.
She also expects to meet with provisional President Alexandre Boniface and
representatives of political parties.
Haiti's interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yvon Siméon, had indicated
Monday that the CARICOM delegation was coming to Haiti to finalize
relations between CARICOM and Haiti.
AHP July 13, 2004 5:50 PM
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Maxine Waters urges CARICOM to call for the release of Haitian political
prisoners and the arrest of criminals who have shed blood in Haiti as a
condition for recognizing the government of February 29
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington, July 13, 2004 (AHP)- U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters on
Monday praised the loyal support provided by CARICOM to the democratic
process in Haiti.
In a letter sent to CARICOM President Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of
Grenada, Ms. Waters found it encouraging that the regional organization
decided to send a fact-finding mission to Haiti rather than
"unconditionally admitting the illegitimate interim government into CARICOM.
According to Maxine Waters, it is clear that since the removal of
democratically-elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide, the Latortue
government has been waging a politically motivated campaign to arrest and
intimidate Lavalas party members and supporters in Haiti.
The Congresswoman denounced the imprisonment of a number of high-ranking
members and prominent supporters of Lavalas, including former Prime
Minister Yvon Neptune, former Interior minister Jocelerme Privert and the
well-known community activist, Annette Auguste.
Ms. Waters also deplored that the government of February 29 has refused to
arrest Guy Philippe, Jean Tatoune and other thugs and killers who, she
said, took over cities, burned buildings and freed criminals from jails
while they continued to arrest the supporters of the party of Aristide.
Maxine Waters also criticized the interim authorities for their handling of
the case of former death squad leader Louis Jodel Chamblain. He has
reportedly been seen socializing and drinking outside the prison, she said.
Chamblain had announced that he was turning himself in to be a prisoner
following a meeting with interim Justice Minister Bernard Gousse.
The Congresswoman mentioned reports that an agreement may have been reached
between the former FRAPH leader and the authorities whereby he would escape
imprisonment relating to the crimes for which he was already convicted in
absentia and he would not be prosecuted for other crimes.
Maxine Waters considered that these actions by the Latortue government
constitute a threat to the stability and security of the Caribbean and the
United States.
She expressed concern that this situation may drive many more Haitians to
attempt to flee their homeland to flee Haiti and enter other Caribbean
countries or the united States as refugees.
She urged CARICOM to condition the recognition of the interim government on
both the release of Yvon Neptune, Jocelerme Privert, Annette Auguste and
other prisoners as well as on the arrest, prosecution and punishment
of Guy Philippe, Jean Tatoune, and Louis Jodel Chamblain for the crimes
they have committed.
AHP July 13, 2004 4:40 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CSPN communiqué calling for disarmament is designed for international
consumption, according to Fanmi Lavalas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port-au-Prince, July 13, 2004 (AHP)- The Fanmi Lavalas political
organization in comments Tuesday downplayed the efforts of the interim
authorities relating to the disarmament of demobilized members of the
military and the Front of Resistance.
A Fanmi Lavalas spokesperson Gilvert Angervil asserted that the communiqué
issued by the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN) shows that his
party has been correct in its allegations that several regions of the
country are under the control of the former rebels who took up arms against
President Aristide.
According to Gilvert Angervil, this situation reveals an obvious absence of
State authority.
He charged that the interim government has neither the capacity nor the
authority nor the will to go forward with the disarmament of the illegally
armed groups.
Mr. Angervil further alleged that the CSPN communiqué is designed solely
for international consumption and offers no reassurance to those who suffer
abuses at the hands of the armed bands who operate across the country.
The September 30 Foundation indicated Monday that the objective of the
interim government is to press the armed sectors to hide their weapons by
informing them that they will soon be disarmed.
AHP July 13, 2004 10:15 AM
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Lavalas activists announce protests against the Latortue government
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port-au-Prince, July 13, 2004 (AHP)- Lavalas activists announced that a
sit-in will be held Wednesday July 14 in front of the French Embassy on the
occasion of France's independence commemorations.
A spokesperson for the Fanmi Lavalas grassroots activists, Claudy Sidney,
said that through these protests they intend to denounce France's policy
toward Haiti which is expressed through its embassy, which he said supports
an illegal government.
He asserted that the Latortue government is manifesting no evidence that it
wishes to relieve the suffering of the population or respect its rights.
"We are counting on drawing the attention of the people of France who are
enamored with democracy to the actions of French officials who are working
against the interests of the Haitian people and democracy", said Mr. Sidney.
For their part, the supporters of Fanmi Lavalas in Cap-Haïtien are planning
two days of demonstrations, on August 13 and 14, to denounce the
persecution they say they are suffering at the hands of the interim
authorities.
They say they have been breathless since the technocrats came to power.
"The high cost of living, insalubrity, and insecurity are the fate of the
people of Haiti's second city, they said. They insist that they are
detremined to remain mobilized until the return of constitutional government.
AHP July 13, 2004 1:35 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The populist organization "Konbit Resistance" is supporting the
demonstrations planned by supporters of Fanmi Lavalas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port-au-Prince, July 13, 2004 (AHP)- The populist organization "Konbit
Resistance" came out Tuesday in support of the demonstrations announced by
supporters of Fanmi Lavalas in Port-au-Prince in the coming days.
Printemps Bélizaire, a spokesperson for the organization, invited the
population to participate in large numbers in the demonstrations to
"denounce the February 29th government".
He stated that all Haitians should mobilize against this government that is
acting, in his words, totally outside the constitution, by making illegal
arrests, firing workers arbitrarily, and committing crimes in the country.
Printemps Bélizaire deplored that the sector in power has decided to
neglect the demands of students. He asked these students to get behind the
cause of the populist masses toward genuine change in the country.
Mr. Bélizaire also expressed hope that the CARICOM delegation now visiting
Haiti will focus on the situation of the political prisoners of the
February 29th government.
AHP July 13, 2004 2:05 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The spouse of Annette Auguste denounces the conditions of detention of
Lavalas activists in the prison of Pétion-Ville
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port-au-Prince, July 13, 2004 (AHP)- Wilfrid Lavaud, who is married to the
Fanmi Lavalas community activist Annette Auguste, spoke out again Tuesday
against conditions of detention of the Lavalas activists held in the prison
of Pétion-Ville.
According to Mr. Lavaud, Sò Anne's physician wrote to officials of the
National Prison Administration (APENA) one week ago to ask them to allow
the Fanmi Lavalas activist the possibility of moving about inside the
prison, for reasons related to her health.
No response has been made thus far to the doctor's letter, he said.
Mr. Lavaud alleged that conditions of detention in the Pétion-Ville
detention center are extremely poor. No daylight is even allowed into the
prison cells, he said, indignant.
He is worried that the state of Sò Anne's health may deteriorate further.
Annette Auguste was taken into custody without a warrant during the night
of May 9. The Multinational Interim Force initially said she was taken into
custody because she had said bad things about and had made threats against
the foreign soldiers.
After the multinational force had finished interrogating her, they did not
release her, but turned her over to the Haitian police.
The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) learned subsequently that
she had been detained for her alleged involvement in the violent incidents
of December 5 at the School of Social Sciences.
However the Executive Director of NCHR, Pierre Espérance, recognized last
week for the first time last week in an interview with the Reuters press
agency that the arrest of the Lavalas activist was illegal.
However he refused to call for her release.
AHP July 13, 2004 3:00 PM
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