HAITI: Haitians rally against the presence of UN peacekeeping forces (MINUSTAH) in their country

Record ID: 212818

  • Title: HAITI: Haitians rally against the presence of UN peacekeeping forces (MINUSTAH) in their country
  • Date: 28th October 2006
  • Summary: (BN04) PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (OCTOBER 27, 2006) (REUTERS) WELCOME SIGN OF CITE SOLEIL VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN TROOPS OF THE UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION (4 SHOTS) BARRICADE SET BY THE BRAZILIAN TROOPS MARKETPLACE OVERLOOKING THE BRAZILIAN HEADQUARTERS VENDOR VARIOUS OF HOMES DESTROYED BY THE TROOPS (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 12th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Haiti
  • Country: Haiti
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA595DWUBF1HXBB8O5H6JTIGLVP
  • Story Text: Haitians rallied on Friday (October 27) against the presence of UN peacekeeping forces in their country, even as the troops continued efforts to control the volatile neighbourhood of Cite Soleil.
    Patrolling in armoured personnel carriers, UN forces observed the protesters who demanded the departure of the MINUSTAH.
    Residents claim that MINUSTAH's intense gun battles in the Cite Soleil slum has killed many and left others homeless. Since arriving in the country after the fall of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, the UN forces have raided the slum, where they claim Aristide supporters and gang members have taken shelter.
    But residents say many innocent people have died, including two students who were killed while sitting in a classroom. Officials have not verified the reports of the schoolroom shooting.
    Despite a government disarmament program, armed gunmen can frequently be seen patrolling side streets while carrying handguns and AK47 machine guns.
    The 800 Cite Soleil residents who rallied said they will continue organizing protests until the UN troops leave the country. They also expressed growing distrust of President Rene Preval's government.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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