Foreign troops brace for protests in Haiti

[Mika]

Foreign troops brace for protests in Haiti
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1060549.htm

US and French troops patrolling the volatile Haitian capital are bracing for more demonstrations by both supporters and opponents of ex-president Jean Bertrand Aristide

Opposition leader Evans Paul called for a march to the heavily guarded presidential palace on Sunday, one week after Mr Aristide resigned and fled to exile in Africa under pressure from Paris and Washington and as insurgents closed in on Port-au-Prince.

On Friday, thousands of Aristide supporters, some carrying concealed weapons, staged a noisy protest outside the palace, protected by US Marines backed by tank-like armoured trucks.

Protesters said they would stage a counter-demonstration Sunday when the opposition takes to the streets.

The fighting is not over.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Aristide backers angry at his ouster

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Three thousand supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched on the U.S. and French embassies on Friday, shouting their anger at his ouster. Meanwhile, a seven-member council met for the first time to help form a transitional government.
The protesters, a few with pistols tucked into their belts, charged past embassies and the presidential National Palace, chanting "Long live Aristide!" and "Down with George Bush!"
U.S. troops watched impassively as the protesters passed.
Outside the U.S. Embassy, one young man screamed epithets and then mooned the Marines.
"If it comes to that, we will confront the U.S. Marines," said demonstrator Pierre Paul, 35. "We will do the same thing that they are doing in Iraq."
It was the first large protest in favor of Aristide since the ousted president fled to Africa on Sunday as rebels prepared for a final push on Port-au-Prince and the United States and France pressed the former priest to bow out.
U.S. Gen. James Hill of the Southern Command said that U.S. Light Armored Vehicles were placed at the presidential palace to stop looting that had erupted in recent days and prevent opposition forces from taking over.
The Marines arrived the day Aristide left, followed by French and Chilean troops, forming the vanguard of a U.N.-sponsored peacekeeping force expected to number about 5,000. Canada said it is sending 450 soldiers within days

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Mar/03062004/nation_w/145255.asp

[Tinoire]

3. 3000? Haitian Press says 20,000

Kind of reminds me of "200 people demonstrate againt the Iraq war" ;)


Over 20.000 supporters of Fanmi Lavalas demonstrate in Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince, March 5, 2004 -(AHP)- Over 20.000 supporters of Fanmi Lavalas demonstrated this Friday in Port-au-Prince to demand the return to the power of President Jean Bertrand Aristide, in exile in Central African Republic.

Demonstrators were wearing tee-shirts and showed parasols bearing the effigy of President Aristide, and denounced what they call the Head of State's "kidnapping". Demonstrators started off in the popular neighborhood Bel-Air, walked through many streets downtown and ended up in front of the National Palace. Many thousands of Lavalas supporters had already demonstrated in Port-au-Prince Wednesday in favor of Mr. Aristide.

http://www.ahphaiti.org/eng.html

[dax]

4. 20,000 Haitians next to the 2,000 released prisoners the press showed...

I was amazed at the instant media front pages the Monday after the coup where they had pictures of crowds and people reaching to "touch convicted killer on the CIA payroll who Noriega doesn't know-Guy Philippe. funny I haven't seen any pictures of the real crowds...the local press here says "roving bands of Aristide supporters are causing violence in the streets... then they will say some reprisal execution style slayings by the rebels. As if the guys with the M-16 aren't running around with a list of who to kill before the American Command gives the word-ok boys you got the main men you can stop now. krystalnacht anyone? take out the organizers, the union people, sweep up some of those humanitarian types who have the wrong politics and then we can grease the skids for some real deals.

In the hearing, Noriega claimed to not know how 20,000 m-16 went via the Dominican Republic to the convicted killers band of thugs the month before they invaded Haiti and started on their killing spree. yeah right we can track nose scissors and nail clippers at EVERY airport in america but we just lost track of 20,000 M-16, rocket propelled grenades and other heavy artillary-I would think the Dept of Homeland Security might want some heads to roll over that one.

[Dover]

2. Anybody see any news about how the French people are responding

to their governments collusion with the U.S. and the Haiti coup?