Reply #2: New Haitian Cabinet draws complaints across the political divide

[seemslikeadream]

IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, March 17, 2004


(03-17) 08:05 PST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) --

Haitian politicians complained a new U.S.-backed government to be sworn in Wednesday is partisan and risks further polarizing a population divided between enemies and supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

French peacekeepers, meanwhile, set up roadblocks to start a risky disarmament campaign in the Cite Soleil seaside slum, an Aristide stronghold. They hope to succeed where U.S. troops failed a decade ago to persuade residents to surrender weapons.

Opposition politician Mischa Gaillard asked Wednesday why no members of his Convergence coalition of political parties and civic groups was in the new Cabinet.

"You cannot call this a government of national unity," Gaillard said on Radio Vision 2000.

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