Aristide calls for resistance after six killed in Haiti violence

"I am the democratically elected president of the Republic of Haiti and I remain the constitutional president," he said Monday in an interview with French radio from his exile in the Central African Republic.

"The Haitian people are resisting and must continue their peaceful resistance against this unacceptable occupation, following an equally unacceptable political kidnapping."

Aristide spoke a day after Sunday's attack, which demonstrators blamed on his supporters.

Among the dead was a journalist with Spanish channel Antena 3, Ricardo Ortega, who died of gunshot wounds. US journalist Michael Laughlin of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sun-Sentinel newspaper was hit in the shoulder, one of some 34 people reported wounded.

Aristide left Haiti a week ago, following international pressure and an armed rebellion launched a month ago. His departure prompted the arrival of international peacekeepers.

As the multinational force made its presence known in Haiti, the government Aristide left behind and the political opposition have moved closer to meeting the requirements of an internationally backed power-sharing proposal.

A council of seven "wise men" formed Friday by government, opposition and international representatives said they would announce their choice for a new prime minister Tuesday.

Earlier, more than 10,000 people had taken part in the march from the Petion-Ville neighborhood to the center of Port-au-Prince despite fears that militant Aristide supporters were planning a counter-demonstration.

Heavily armed US Marines and French gendarmes, using trucks and Humvees armed with machine guns, escorted the demonstrators, who demanded that Aristide face a criminal trial.

At one stage, protesters pulled down a huge billboard with a photograph of Aristide and later burned a portrait of the ex-president.

The demonstrators also condemned the violence and looting that followed Aristide's departure and which have been blamed on militant supporters of the former president.

Gunshots were heard at the square and appeared to come from within the crowd, while gunmen opened fire on protesters and journalists a few hundred meters (yards) away. An angry crowd forced a group of police officers to fire back.

Demonstrators promptly dispersed, many running from the square, after the shooting, which began as the rally was breaking up.

US and French forces helping police with security moved onto the lawn of the presidential palace.

"The Haitian National Police, as well as French forces and US marines, responded to gunshots by sending a quick reaction force," said Staff Sergeant Timothy Edwards, a US military spokesman.

Shortly after the shootings, the Haitian capital's industrial park was looted, according to witnesses and police. Looters emerged carrying sacks of rice said to have been donated by Taiwan.

Rebel leader Guy Philippe said he is ready to take up arms again following the violence.

Philippe told local Radio Vision 2000 he would be "obliged very soon to order the troops to take up the arms they laid down" under US pressure.

The insurgent went to talk with some of the wounded at the Canape Vert hospital, where angry Haitians yelled at US and French soldiers who guarded the entrance, asking to know why they had failed to intervene to prevent the violence.

"It is extremely urgent that the international force presses the police to reestablish security of life and goods," said socialist opposition leader Micha Gaillard.

"The people were demonstrating peacefully having confidence in the Haitian police and in the international security force -- unfortunately they did not act.

"A demonstration to celebrate the freeing of Haiti from despotism has ended in bloody catastrophe."

Philippe was among the protesters, sitting atop a sport-utility vehicle and waving to the cheering crowd. He had made a triumphant entrance to the capital Wednesday after his insurgents seized much of the country -- seen as a key factor, alongside international pressure, in Aristide's resignation and flight.

Also among the demonstrators was political opposition leader Evans Paul.

Leonce Charles, named police chief following Aristide's departure, had asked the multinational contingent deployed in Haiti in recent days to help prevent violence during the demonstration.

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