Tense standoff at rally a sign of things to come for Canadian troops in Haiti

The heated demonstration prompted U.S. soldiers to point their guns at the raucous crowd on Friday.

The tense standoff at the gates of the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince ended without bloodshed, but it's the kind of situation that Canadian troops will likely face when they arrive in the next few days on a UN-approved mission to bring stability to this troubled Caribbean country.

Other demonstrations in recent days have been aimed at U.S. President George W. Bush for his perceived role in the ouster of Aristide, as many believe Bush ordered Aristide's kidnapping to hand over power in Haiti to rebel forces.

However, protesters Friday also pointed fingers at Canada and France for going along with U.S. policy toward Haiti.

One demonstrator rhymed off the names of world leaders who many believe are at least partly responsible for the current turmoil in the Caribbean nation.

"George Bush, Jacques Chirac, Colin Powell, Paul Martin," said the man.

"Why, George Bush, also Canada, did they take the president?" asked another, who also called out the name of former prime minister Jean Chretien as he voiced his anger at the Canadian government.

"There will be violence unless (Aristide) is brought back," he added, suggesting some of that violence could be directed toward foreign troops who are scheduled to arrive in the Haitian capital within days as part of the UN stabilization force.

Ottawa announced Friday that 425 Canadian military personnel would be sent to Haiti to join the force. Defence Minister David Pratt said the deployment is expected to last three months.

Pratt made clear that Canada hopes to establish long-term stability in Haiti. But that appeared a tall order in the midst of a surging crowd of shouting and shoving demonstrators Friday outside the presidential palace in the capital.

"Aristide must come back," said one of the demonstrators. "We want our president, we want democracy. If he does not come back, there will be violence, of course!"

Aristide supporters say he was flown out of Haiti last Sunday after being forced to leave the country under U.S. pressure. They also blame France, the former colonial power in Haiti, for letting the crisis unfold without providing timely help. And now Canada, for standing with the Americans.

The demonstrators were sharply anti-American and anti-French in their agitation. At one point, U.S. troops guarding the presidential palace pointed their weapons at the crowd, shouting "get back, get back." No shots were fired.

The demonstrators moved on to the front of the U.S. Embassy, which was heavily guarded by U.S. marines, before the crowd dissipated.

Earlier Friday, there was rioting and looting at a factory in the south end of the capital. Reports from the scene said whatever was not taken was burned by a mob.

Some of the people at the looted factory then joined the demonstration and walked the three or four kilometres to the centre of the capital.

More protests planned for Sunday threaten clashes as rebel supporters and Aristide supporters promise a faceoff in front of the palace.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/03/05/371752-cp.html