The U.N. and the Police Nationale d’Haiti
(PNH) launched a major offensive today aimed at the pro-Aristide
seaside slum of Cite Soleil. At least 3 people were killed and scores
injured after U.N. and PNH security forces reportedly entered the area
with “guns shooting everywhere” according to residents.

The Haiti Information Project
U.N./Police in Haiti launch major offensive against Cite Soleil
May 31, 2005

Port au Prince, Haiti (HIP) - The U.N. and the Police Nationale d’Haiti
(PNH) launched a major offensive today aimed at the pro-Aristide
seaside slum of Cite Soleil. At least 3 people were killed and scores
injured after U.N. and PNH security forces reportedly entered the area
with “guns shooting everywhere” according to residents. St. Joseph’s
Hospital in Bois Verna, home to a project of the French organization
Medicin Sans Frontier, reported their staff was having difficulty
treating the increasing number of gunshot victims resulting from
today’s action.

In what appeared to be a response to the armed incursion, unknown
assailants set fire to a large market in the old quarter of Haiti’s
capital known as Marche Tet Boeuf. There was general panic in the area
as the flames spread and engulfed a nearby school. Gunfire reportedly
rang out as people in the area were forced to run for cover prior to
the outset of the fire. Radio stations in the capital reported soon
after that Haiti’s National Palace was also shot at.

The joint offensive by the U.N. and the PNH comes on the heels of tough
talk and threats by the Haitian business community. Dr. Reginald
Boulos, the President of the Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
recently demanded the U.S.-installed government allow the business
community to form their own private security firms and arm them with
automatic weapons. Boulos also suggested the Latortue regime allow
businesses to withhold taxes for one month and use the money to buy
more powerful weapons on the international market for the police force.
“If they don’t allow us to do this then we’ll take on own initiative
and do it anyway” Boulos stated.

Haiti’s recent wave of violence and insecurity began after the Haitian
police fired on peaceful marches in the capital demanding the return of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and freedom for political prisoners on
Feb. 28 and April 27. At least 11 unarmed demonstrators were killed in
the two attacks and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan recently echoed
demands by human rights organizations for an investigation. Leon
Charles, the Chief of Police, reflected the response and attitude of
the U.S.-installed regime towards human rights considerations when he
recently stated, “We are in a situation of war and confronting a
movement of destabilization.”

Recent violence in Haiti’s capital has also decreased the chances of
holding elections scheduled to begin in October of this year. The body
overseeing the election process, the Provisional Election Council,
announced on Monday that only 60,000 people have registered out of an
eligible 4.5 million potential voters since registration began on April
25. Patrick Fequieres, president of the Electoral Operations Commission
for the council, responded that at this rate of registration Haiti will
not be ready for balloting until 2007.

The Haiti Information Project (HIP) is a non-profit alternative news
service providing coverage and analysis of breaking developments in
Haiti.

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