Date:20/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052000181700.htm

International

Thousands march for return of Aristide

PORT-AU-PRINCE (HAITI): More than 5,000 supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched in Haiti's capital on Wednesday to demand his return from exile, in one of the largest demonstrations in recent months.

Aristide speeches blared on loudspeakers, protesters carried Haitian flags plastered with stickers of the former priest and some held framed photographs of him.

Dozens of U.N. peacekeepers in light-armoured vehicles and jeeps monitored the march. A few Haitian police officers showed up, creating some tense moments, but no violence was reported. In previous marches, shooting has broken out, killing several, and witnesses blamed police.

A 7,400-member U.N. force has been in Haiti since last year, and the United Nations will soon determine whether the one-year mandate, which expires on June 1, will be extended.

Chile's Senate unanimously voted on Wednesday to extend the participation of the South American country's 589 military troops and 39 police officers until December 1.

The three-hour march zigzagged through the capital, starting in two slums bordering Port-au-Prince, but never came close to the National Palace or any other important Government buildings.

The demonstrators chanted ``Aristide left and came back, now he's coming back again,'' referring to a military coup that ousted him in 1991 and his subsequent restoration to power in 1994.

``What happened in 1994 could happen now,'' said 37-year-old Printemps Belizaire, who is unemployed. ``We resisted and Aristide came back. We had hope with Aristide, but without him we have no hope. There is nothing for us with this Government. We can only look forward to death.''

Mr. Aristide was ousted again in a three-week armed rebellion led by former soldiers in February 2004. An interim Government headed by Prime Minister Gerard Latortue was installed soon after.

Wednesday's protest was held on Flag Day.

The Haitian flag was adopted in 1803, a year before the country became the world's first black republic after a slave revolt. ``Today we remember our heroes and Aristide was one of them,'' said Rev. Gerard Jean-Juste, a pro-Aristide priest at the demonstration.

Haiti, a former French colony of 8 million people, is the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. Most people survive on less than a $1 a day. — AP