| C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y : Crowds march to support Aristide Last Updated Fri, 05 Mar 2004 21:03:10 PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - Thousands of supporters of Jean-Bertrand Aristide gathered in the Haitian capital Friday, calling for the return of the exiled president. Many in the crowd named the leaders of Canada, the United States and France for Aristide's exit. INDEPTH: Haiti "Why, George Bush, also Canada, did they take the president?" one man asked. At one point during the demonstration at the gates of the presidential palace, U.S. soldiers pointed their guns at the crowd. The demonstrators also marched past the U.S. and French embassies. It's the kind of situation Canadian soldiers could soon face. Defence Minister David Pratt announced Friday 425 Canadian soldiers will be sent to Haiti for a three-month deployment. RELATED STORY: Canada to send more soldiers to Haiti There are already about 100 Canadian soldiers in Haiti, along with 1,000 U.S. troops and roughly 120 Chilean soldiers. Earlier Friday, crowds rioted in the south part of the city, looting and burning a factory. Aristide left Haiti last Sunday. He alleges he was removed in a U.S.-led coup, but American officials say he left of his own accord. Written by CBC News Online staff

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