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| AP |
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| Supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide gather in downtown Port-au-Prince |
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At least three students have been shot and wounded in a demonstration in Haiti against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Riot police hurled tear gas canisters to break up the protest Wednesday. Witnesses say the students were hurt when supporters of President Aristide fired guns into a crowd of several hundred demonstrators trying to get away from the gas.
Seven other students were detained after the protest.
This was the latest in a series of demonstrations highlighting mounting tensions in the impoverished Caribbean nation. Haitians have been taking to the streets for weeks in support of or against Mr. Aristide.
Meanwhile Wednesday, the Organization of American States reaffirmed its pledge to help find a solution to Haiti's political crisis. In a statement, the OAS said the success of its mission will depend in part on a demonstration of political will by the Haitian government.
Haiti has been in political turmoil since 2000, when the president's Lavalas Party swept to power in elections the opposition says were rigged. Haiti has lost international aid as a result.
Critics say Mr. Aristide is to blame for the country's worsening economic and political situation. The president says he intends to serve out his term, which ends in 2006.
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