Haiti calm after bicentennial
2004-01-03 16:47
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Calm returned to the streets of Haiti's capital on Friday a day after bloody clashes broke out between police and protesters on the 200th anniversary of Haitian independence.
As many Haitians resumed daily routines, though, opponents of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide stepped up demands for his resignation, issuing a declaration calling for him to be replaced with a transitional government.
Visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki met on Friday with leading Aristide opponents who boycotted state celebrations marking Haiti's independence from France on January 1, 1804. Some were critical that Mbeki joined the festivities.
"His arrival brought oxygen to a dying dictatorship," said businessman Andy Apaid Jr, a prominent Aristide critic. He said Mbeki "should bear some responsibility in following the situation."
The talks came as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, said he is encouraging the Caribbean Community to take a greater role in helping Haiti deal with its crisis.
Only one Caribbean head of government, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie, attended ceremonies on behalf of the regional bloc.
Trinidad Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who met with Annan, said it will be up to Aristide whether the community gets more involved.
At least eight anti-government protesters were injured on Thursday in clashes with police, who fired tear gas and warning shots. Thousands of Aristide's supporters also rallied around him at commemorative ceremonies.
Mbeki called the Haitian revolution an inspiration and said Africans on both sides of the Atlantic face common challenges of poverty and conflict.
South Africa contributed about R10m toward the $15m festivities, which Mbeki's opponents called an unnecessary extravagance but he called fitting.
While the South African leader has sought to fulfil Nelson Mandela's legacy of healing racial divisions and attracting investors, Aristide has been unable to close the political divide or ease crushing poverty.
A day after meeting Aristide, Mbeki told opposition leaders South Africa wouldn't offer to mediate but that he wanted to hear their views, opposition politician Evans Paul said.
"He did not urge the opposition to negotiate with Aristide," Paul said, adding Mbeki didn't express a particular position.
Thursday's anti-government demonstrations underscored the growing unrest facing Aristide.
Tensions have increased since Aristide's party swept legislative elections in 2000, that some observers said were flawed. The contested seats were eventually vacated by senators, but the opposition has refused to join in new elections unless Aristide steps down - a demand he has refused.
Since mid-September, violent anti-government protests have killed at least 41 and wounded dozens.
- AP