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Aristide Supporters Clash With Student Protesters in Haiti VOA News 05 Feb 2004, 11:42 UTC
AP |
Aristide supporters take cover as riot police fire warning shots, Wednesday |
Supporters of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have clashed with student protesters in the capital, Port-au-Prince, in the latest political violence to plague the troubled Caribbean nation. The government supporters Wednesday hurled rocks and empty bottles in the direction of about 100 student demonstrators, who in turn, retaliated by throwing the objects back. The students were rallying outside a courthouse in support of a protest leader being questioned. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in the direction of the students. No injuries were reported, but five students were arrested. The skirmish came as two leaders from the Caribbean community, known as Caricom, held talks with Haitian opposition leaders for a second day, seeking an end to the country's political crisis. Bahamian Foreign Minister Freddie Mitchell and Caricom Assistant Secretary-General Colin Granderson met with opposition leaders in Port-au-Prince. A local radio station, Radio Metropole, says Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Granderson also met with President Aristide in Port-au-Prince, but that no major developments came from the meeting.
AP |
Jean-Bertrand Aristide |
Mr. Aristide told the Cable News Network in an interview broadcast late Wednesday that his government's aim is to resolve the crisis, but needs help in doing so. The Haitian leader also said he intends to remain in office until February 7, 2006, when his term ends. Haiti has been mired in turmoil since disputed legislative elections in 2000. In recent months, anti-government demonstrations have become frequent and at least 50 people have been killed. The United States has urged Mr. Aristide to support reconciliation efforts led by his country's Roman Catholic Church leaders. Caricom leaders recently put together proposals for resolving Haiti's political crisis. Email this article to a friend. Printer Friendly Version