Ex-Soldiers Take Over Aristide's Home
/A band of former soldiers took over ousted President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide's former home last week and said they
would use it to provide security in the neighborhood on the outskirts
of the capital. Dozens of ex-soldiers entered Aristide's abandoned
compound before dawn, said former Sgt. Remissainthe Ravix, their
spokesman. Armed men wearing fatigues guarded the walled entrance of
the estate as two men painted two big white pillars mustard yellow, the
color of the Haitian military. Though the estate is just blocks from a
U.N. base with 1,200 Brazilian soldiers, no U.N. peacekeepers or
Haitian police were at the scene. U.N. officials met with interim Prime
Minister Gerard Latortue to discuss how to respond to the situation,
said Damian Onses-Cardona, a spokesman for the 7,000-member U.N.
peacekeeping mission. "It is a very uncomfortable move for everyone,
and the solution will be very uncomfortable," Onses-Cardona said. He
did not give any details on the outcome of the meeting. Police
spokeswoman Gessy Coicou and government spokesman Mike Joseph refused
to comment. Some of the 50 former soldiers had pickaxes and were
breaking cinder blocks that had sealed off doorways and windows. The
plundered home had been abandoned since Aristide fled the country Feb.
29. [more]
- Canada in Haiti [more]
