Former Rebels Form New Political Party in Haiti

VOA News
20 May 2004, 14:13 UTC



AP
Guy Philippe
(File photo)
Former Haitian rebels who played a major role in February's ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide say they have formed a new political party.
The former members of the National Resistance Front have created a group called the National Reconstruction Front.

Former rebel leader Guy Philippe is expected to have a lead role in the party, which says it will field candidates in Haiti's general elections next year.

The announcement was made Tuesday in Haiti's fourth-largest city, Gonaives, which the rebels held during the armed revolt that led to Mr. Aristide's departure.

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Rebel commander Wilfort Ferdinand, also known by the nickname Ti-Wil, greets leader Guy Philippe, right, with an affectionate pat as he arrives with a group of rebel troops in Cap Haitien, Haiti, Saturday. (AP /Pablo Aneli).



Haitian rebels form political party
Rebel leader Guy Philippe, 36, who was sacked by the Aristide government for plotting a coup, Winter Etienne, 40, and Buteur Metayer, 32, will hold respectively the roles of secretary general, general coordinator and president.

Mr Etienne is a supporter of fellow rebel leader and former death squad member Louis-Jodel Chamblain, who was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1993 murder of Mr Aristide's financier Antoine Izmery.

Mr Metary is the leader of the Cannibal Army gang in the northern city of Gonaives and a former Aristide supporter

Tuesday's announcement was made before a crowd of 1,000 in Gonaives, held by the FRN rebels during the armed insurgency against Mr Aristide.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1112625.htm

Supporters of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide march during a demonstration celebrating the 201st birthday of the Haitian flag in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Tuesday, May 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)


http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040518/API/405181144

Pro-Aristide March Turns Violent in Haiti

By AMY BRACKEN
Associated Press Writer

Supporters of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide march during a demonstration celebrating the 201st birthday of the Haitian flag in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Tuesday, May 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Thousands of demonstrators called for the return of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide during a Flag Day rally Tuesday that turned violent, leaving at least one man dead.

Waving flags and carrying umbrellas bearing Aristide's smiling face, the demonstrators marched from the pro-Aristide stronghold of Belair toward the National Palace, just blocks away from a cathedral where interim President Boniface Alexandre was attending a Mass.

As the protesters neared the cathedral, riot police fired tear gas and then warning shots to disperse the crowd, which reacted by pelting government vehicles with rocks.

A 23-year-old demonstrator was shot and killed. It was unclear who fired the fatal shot, and police were not immediately available for comment.


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http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040518/API/405181144

Thousands demonstrate in call for return of Aristide to power

As the protesters neared the cathedral, riot police fired tear gas and then warning shots to disperse the crowd, which reacted by pelting government vehicles with rocks.

Demonstrator Titus Simpton, 23, was shot and killed. It was unclear who fired the fatal shot, and police were not immediately available for comment.

U.S. Marines helped the police by conducting patrols but did not fire any rounds, according to Colonel David Lapan, a spokesman for the U.S.-led multinational force that will be replaced by a U.N. force. Peacekeepers and international police are scheduled to start arriving on June 1.

Aristide claims that the United States forced him to resign amid a spreading three-week revolt on February 29, a claim the United States denies.

The 15-nation Caribbean Community, which has refused to recognize Haiti's interim government because of the allegations that Aristide has made, has asked the Organization of American States to investigate the circumstances of Aristide's departure.

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http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2004/05/20/1085022289.htm

South Africa would be ready to accommodate ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide by the end of the week, according to a report on Tuesday.
Arrangements to provide a temporary home for Aristide, who is currently in Jamaica, began a week ago following a cabinet decision.
"We will be ready by the end of this week to receive him formally," the daily This Day quoted foreign affairs director general Ayanda Ntsaluba as saying.
Pretoria has indicated that Aristide, his wife and two daughters could remain at a state guest house in South Africa "until his personal situation normalises" and the situation in Haiti stabilised to such an extent that it would be possible for him to return.
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http://www.africana.com/newswire/blackworld_article.asp?ID=220

Wonder if Kerry will say anything about this?

and Colon Bowel is hobnobbing with these Mini-Docs!