AHP Dec 22, 2003 - unoffical english translation - Mike Levy

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TODAY'S HEADLINES

Two Lavalas activists are killed during an anti-government demonstration: accusations are leveled at personnel providing security for the Group of 184

The instigators of the anti-government demonstrations are not aiming toward any resolution of the political crisis, according to Yvon Feuillé

U.S. Ambassador Foley calls for the protection for opposition demonstrations: two Lavalas activists are killed during a demonstration by the Group of 184

COPAH calls on all parties in the conflict to seize the opportunity offered to them through the CEH proposal for a peaceful end to the crisis

Mario Dupuy and Lovinsky Pierre Antoine deplore that sectors are working together with the sole objective of sabotaging the festivities for the end of the year and the bicentennial of national independence.

Dismie César calls on the population to continue to mobilize peacefully as a sign of support and solidarity for the popular vote and respect for the legal basis of the Constitution

Attempted murder of  the Radio Galaxie celebrity Sylvain Bernier, known as BS, on the road to Jacmel

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Two Lavalas activists are killed during an anti-government demonstration: accusations are leveled at personnel providing security for the Group of 184
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- Two Lavalas activists,  Stanley Jacques Loiseau (Doudou) and a man named Francky were killed Monday during a demonstration organized by the Group of 184 and students calling for the departure of the constitutionally-elected government.

According to several accounts, the Lavalas activists were killed by individuals providing security for members of the Group of 184. These individuals are allegedly former members of the Haitian military who were said to be wearing uniforms similar to those worn by members of the CIMO police unit.

The family and friends of one of the victims accused the leader of the Group of 184, André Apaid Jr, of being directly responsible for this killing because he caused the demonstrators to deviate from the itinerary that had been provided to the police.

Police officials for their part denounced  the armed individuals who allegedly  attempted to infiltrate the demonstration on several occasions. They announced the opening of an investigation to shed light on the killing of the two Lavalas activists.

The opposition demonstration that had somewhat less depth than anticipated (approximately 3,000 people) began in the Canapé-Vert area. There were no incidents of aggression reported. It was proceeding under a high level of police protection when officials of the Group of 184 decided at Avenue John Brown that it should change the route of the demonstration in order to head toward the National Palace, where thousands of members and sympathizers of  Fanmi Lavalas had been demonstrating since the morning, calling for respect for the popular vote and the constitution. 

This abrupt decision was energetically criticized by the police authorities.

Everything would have gone very smoothly without this change of route by leaders of the demonstration, said Police Inspector General  Patrick René. 

Chanting slogans violently opposed to the government, the demonstrators from the Group of 184 said they were determined to besiege the National Palace to take over power and destroy the tower and the stands under construction for the bicentennial of independence festivities.

Faced with their stubbornness, the police officers, who had been praised for the service they provided the length of the route of the demonstration up to that point, felt it necessary to use tear gas and shoot into the air to disperse the demonstrators.

It was in this situation of confusion that according to several accounts an individual dressed in black who was part of the security corps of the Group of 184 opened fire on members of populist organizations gathered at the Poste Marchand intersection which was not part of the itinerary of the opposition.

Initially, journalists thought that the killer was a member of the CIMO  specialized police unit, but they revised their reports soon afterwards. The members of the populist organizations vowed that they will not let themselves be pushed around and will never again live in hiding.

It was only after this period of drama that the leaders of the Group of 184 decided to return to the initial route filed for the demonstration. However the killing of the Lavalas activist took away some of the enthusiasm of some demonstrators who said that they were not aware that they were going to be led into confrontation.

What remained of the anti-government demonstration did head toward the Faculty of Social Sciences before coming to an close.

A group aboard a vehicle directed the opposition demonstration in which Democratic Convergence leaders such as  Paul Denis, Micha Gaillard and Evans Paul also took part.

They said that this is their own particular way of celebrating the bicentennial of the independence of their country, whose heroes emerged victorious on November 18, 1803 over the powerful army of Napoleon. Independence was actually proclaimed, however on January 1st, 1804 in  Gonaïves. 

Several thousand supporters and sympathizers of Fanmi Lavalas were still mobilized toward the end of the day around the Champ-de-Mars, where the National Palace is located. They said that the mobilization will continue beyond 2004, until February 7, 2006, when power will be transferred to a new elected president.

They accused the colonial powers of being behind this campaign of destabilization so as to prevent the celebration of the bicentennial of independence.

Senior officials of Lavalas who were at the heart of the demonstration criticized some political leaders whom they accused of having received money from these powers to sabotage the bicentennial of their country's independence.

They asked the political leaders of the opposition to unite and take the path that leads to elections if they wish to take power.

" The next presidential elections will be held at the end of 2005, in exactly two years", they pointed out.


AHP December 22, 2003 2:00 PM 

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The instigators of the anti-government demonstrations are not aiming toward any resolution of the political crisis, according to Yvon Feuillé
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- The President of the Haitian Senate, Yvon Feuillé, considered Monday that the leaders of the opposition who have been organizing anti-government demonstrations for several weeks, do not wish to see peace prevail in the country.

Yvon Feuillé, reacting to the behavior of demonstrators from the Group of 184 who have been accused by some of responsibility for the death of two Lavalas activists, asked officials from foreign embassies to understand well that the instigators of the demonstrations are not searching for a way to contribute to the resolution of the political crisis.

According to Sen. Feuillé, it is they who provoked the shooting in Lalue which caused the death of the members of the populist organizations, by wishing to change the route of the demonstration that was initially supposed to head toward the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Mr. Feuillé also sought to draw the attention of foreign diplomats to the refusal by opposition officials to respond to the appeal for dialogue issued by President Jean Bertrand Aristide with regard to the November 21st proposal by the Haitian Conference of Bishops on how to bring the country out of the impasse.

According to Yvon Feuillé, these leaders want nothing other than to sabotage the end of the year festivities and the bicentennial of independence.

AHP December 22, 2003 11:25 AM


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U.S. Ambassador Foley calls for the protection for opposition demonstrations: two Lavalas activists are killed during a demonstration by the Group of 184
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- The U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, James Foley, called Sunday for the Haitian authorities to act to ensure police protection against armed gangs for the demonstrations planned by the opposition for this week.

Ambassador Foley indicated that his country is providing its full support to the exercise of democratic rights in Haiti, notably freedom of expression and of assembly.

"The demonstrations that are now taking place in Haiti are legitimate and peaceful expressions of political opinion", declared Amb. Foley.

However the decision taken suddenly on Monday by officials of the Group of 184 to deviate from the itinerary provided to the police provoked confusion which may have been the basis for the killing of two Fanmi Lavalas activists.

Leaders of the anti-government demonstration decided that it should head toward the National Palace where thousands of Fanmi Lavalas supporters were demonstrating.  

Several Lavalas officials have said that the Group of 184 wished to lead its supporters to confrontation and to incite them to commit acts of violence.

In his remarks on Sunday, the American Ambassador renewed the attachment of the United States to a peaceful resolution of the Haitian crisis. He also expressed hope that the process initiated by the Haitian Conference of Bishops (CEH) would eventually be expanded to other religious authorities and adapted to the current circumstances, to lead to a democratic solution to the crisis.

The CEH had asked President Aristide to set up a council of nine members from various sectors upon the expiration of the term of the Haitian Parliament in January 2004.

This council would have among its prerogatives that of supporting the president in his work and designating the members of the various sectors to create a consensus Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

AHP December 22, 2003 10:00 AM


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COPAH calls on all parties in the conflict to seize the opportunity offered to them through the CEH proposal for a peaceful end to the crisis
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- The Conference of Haitian Pastors (COPAH) called on all parties Sunday to seize the opportunity offered to them through the CEH proposal for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

COPAH considers that the existence of the nation is under threat and hat chaos is almost inevitable.

In a statement dated December 21st, COPAH, which says it is alarmed at the breadth of the national drama, is issuing a "vibrant appeal" to the elites to assume their historic responsibilities by initiating a new dialogue likely to lead to an acceptable compromise for good governance of the country.

"The resolution of the CEH could serve as a working document in the context of further negotiations between the representatives of all the vital strengths of the country", asserted COPAH. The Conference is calling for an unconditional truce between the parties on the occasion of the end of the year festivities and the bicentennial of independence.

COPAH is also calling on the international community to assist the various sectors in their efforts to solve the crisis through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means.

The CEH had asked President Aristide last month to set up a nine-member council representing different sectors upon the expiration of the Parliament's term in January 2004. This council would have among its prerogatives to support the president and designate the members to sit on the consensus Provisional electoral Council.

For her part, the head of the office tasked with the restructuring of vodou, Ms. Euvonie Auguste, appealed for a cessation of the political turbulence to enable the children to celebrate Christmas in peace.

" The street demonstrations are not what the country needs on the eve of Christmas and the bicentennial of national independence", declared Mme. Auguste. 

She judged it unfortunate that it is the children of Haiti who are associating themselves with foreigners to plot against the country.

AHP December 22, 2003 10:30 AM


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Mario Dupuy and Lovinsky Pierre Antoine deplore that sectors are working together with the sole objective of sabotaging the festivities for the end of the year and the bicentennial of national independence.
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- Secretary of State for Communication Mario Dupuy deplored Monday that, in his words, some sectors are associating with one another solely for the purpose of hindering the government's efforts to celebrate the bicentennial of Haiti's independence in peace and harmony.

According to Mario Dupuy, what is occurring today resembles the situation that prevailed in the country on the occasion of the centennial independence celebrations in 1904.

However, he expressed satisfaction at the enthusiasm of the population which is preparing, he said, to take part in the various activities scheduled for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the nation's independence.

For his part, the Coordinator of the September 30th Foundation,  Lovinsky Pierre Antoine, considered that the calls to demonstrate issued by  the opposition are poorly timed, because, he said, of the end of the year festivities and the celebration of the bicentennial of independence.

Lovinsky Pierre Antoine stated that the opposition's action consists not only of calling for the departure of the authorities but also asphyxiating the Haitian population.

The leaders of the Group of 184 have already taken a number of steps toward celebrating the end of the year holidays surrounded by abundance, while they are preventing the underprivileged populations from going about their daily activities.

Mr. Pierre Antoine said he recognizes that the opposition has the right to demonstrate but the expression of this right should not penalize the disadvantaged masses who intend, he said, to spend the end of the year holidays in peace and security despite the economic crisis.

AHP December 22, 2003 1:10 PM 


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Dismie César calls on the population to continue to mobilize peacefully as a sign of support and solidarity for the popular vote and respect for the legal basis of the Constitution
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)-  Dismie César, a political advisor to President Jean Bertrand Aristide, appealed to the population Monday to continue its peaceful demonstrations as a sign of support for the popular vote and of respect for the legal status of the Constitution.

Dismie César encouraged the public to participate in the clean-up of various parts of the country that is now underway and not to yield to the political provocations of opposition sectors.

He gave his assurance that preparations for the celebration of the bicentennial of national independence are progressing well.

For their part, some populist organizations in the metropolitan area declared that they are more than ever mobilized and will remain so until the end of the constitutionally-specified term in office of Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2006.

René Civil, leader of the JPP organization (Populist Youth Power), speaking in the name of these populist organizations, appealed to the population to utilize all peaceful means to defend the Lavalas government.

René Civil drew the public's attention to the fact that the Group of 184 and its affiliates have, in his words, already made numerous arrangements enabling them to have the best Christmas feasts while they are hoping to keep holding the population hostage, as they have for the past several days, through violent demonstrations.

"All their purchases for Christmas have already been made and they lack nothing", asserted René Civil. He added that he considers the organizers of Monday's demonstration to be stateless persons who have no respect for any moral or social value.

AHP December 22, 2003 11:35 AM


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Attempted murder of  the Radio Galaxie celebrity Sylvain Bernier, known as BS, on the road to Jacmel
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Port-au-Prince, December 22, 2003 -(AHP)- Armed individuals shot and wounded two radio celebrities known as promoters of Haitian music. The incident took place on the road to Jacmel.

The two stars are Sylvain Bernier of Radio Galaxie and Zagalo of Radio Télé-Eclair. 

This attempted killing took place only a few days after a group of Haitian musicians and promoters of Haitian music including Sylvain Bernier made an appeal to the instigators of the anti-government demonstrations to hold a truce on the occasion of the year end holidays and the celebration of the bicentennial of Haiti's independence to allow the musicians to honor several contracts.

The promoters declared their readiness to demonstrate against those who would cause them to lose their investments.

Sylvain Bernier's car was riddled with bullets. He suffered a bullet wound in his arm.  

He said he was caught in an ambush. Mr. Bernier was accompanied by other individuals including Zagalo from Télé Eclair. 

The government expressed its sympathies to the two entertainers.  

Secretary of State for Communication Mario Dupuy considered it odd that this attack took place only a few days after these entertainers publicly took a position asking for a truce over the holidays and during the celebration of the bicentennial of independence.

Mario Dupuy attributed the attack to the artisans of violence and to those who are seeking, he said, to sabotage by any means the commemorative festivities of the 200th anniversary of the nation's independence.

AHP December 22, 2003 12:20 PM
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