Hello,
Apparently the US State Department has been pressing for due process for
Neptune, and now will publicly say they are continuing to do it.
The part about Neptune is at the end of the following AP article.
Regards,
Jens
http://www.haiti-info.com/imprimer.php3?id_article=3747
Top U.S. diplomat urges U.N. peacekeepers to step up efforts to combat gangs
ahead of Haiti elections
9 juin 2005
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti_A top U.S. diplomat called on U.N. peacekeepers
Thursday to be more "pro-active" in combatting well-armed street gangs,
warning Haitišs elections process was being "sorely tested" by increasing
political violence.
The Brazil-led peacekeeping force must "respond to the wave of violence and
insecurity," said Roger Noriega, the U.S. State Departmentšs top official on
Western Hemisphere affairs. "We urge them to seize the initiative, respond
to this wave of criminality and be more pro-active to dissuade violence."
Noriega spoke at the end of a 24-hour visit to discuss Haitišs security
situation with interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and other government
officials.
"The democratic transition has to remain underway in Haiti but it is being
sorely tested by criminals and by politicians who used criminality for
political ends," Noriega said.
Noriega was accompanied by Canadian legislator Denis Coderre and Francešs
special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Parfait.
Their trip came amid speculation that the United States may send troops
support the U.N. force, which has been criticized for not being effective
enough in confronting armed street gangs for and against ousted President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Noriega declined to comment on the possibility of sending U.S. troops.
Michel Brunache, chief of Cabinet for interim Prime Minister Gerard
Latortue, said Tuesday that Haiti would welcome U.S. troops but said the
Haitian and U.S. governments hadnšt discussed the idea. Latortue visited the
United Nations earlier this week and pressed for more French-speaking
international police.
Classes between pro- and anti-Aristide street gangs, peacekeepers and
Haitian police have killed more than 700 people since September, when
Aristide supporters vowed to step up protests to demand his return from
exile in South Africa.
Human rights groups have warned many voters could be too scared to cast
ballots in elections scheduled for October and November.
Noriega said Haitian officials were committed to holding elections on time,
despite a slow registration process, lack of voting sites and other
logistical problems.
He also expressed concern about former Prime Minister Yvon Neptunešs
prolonged detention without trial, saying the United States would continue
pressing interim officials to give him due process.
Neptune was arrested 11 months ago but only charged last month with
masterminding the killings of political opponents during the February 2004
revolt that ousted Aristide. He denies the charges.
Trying Neptune "will send an important message to all concerned that we can
move forward on reconciliation and the establishment of the rule of law
here," Noriega said.
http://www.haiti-info.com
Copyright Š 2005 Haīti-Info
--
Jens Iverson
J.D. Candidate, UC Hastings College of the Law
http://HastingsHumanRights.org
http://HastingsToHaiti.org
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