27773: Craig (news) BBC: UN urged to address Haiti unrest (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Dan Craig


UN urged to address Haiti unrest

Brazil's foreign minister has urged the UN Security Council to address the 
growing unrest in Haiti, following last Tuesday's presidential elections.

Celso Amorim is said to have made the request during a phone call with US 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

At least one person has been killed and several injured in clashes in Haiti.

Supporters of front-runner Rene Preval have set up roadblocks in the capital, 
Port-au-Prince, and occupied a hotel, demanding he be declared the winner.

Witnesses said UN peacekeepers had opened fire on protesters, but the UN said 
its troops had fired in the air.

Mr Preval returned to Port-au-Prince on Monday as his share of the vote fell 
further, raising the prospect of a run-off, according to electoral officials.

With nearly 90% of the ballots counted, the former president has 48.7% of the 
vote - just short of the 50% required to win outright.

Mr Preval used to be an ally of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who 
was forced out of power in 2004. He has inherited Mr Aristide's strong support 
among the poor.

Another ex-leader, Leslie Manigat, has 11.8%, while industrialist Charles Henri 
Baker has 7.9%, officials say.

Burning tyres

After making his request for a UN Security Council meeting, Mr Amorim described 
the situation in Haiti as worrying.

Mr Amorim, whose country heads a contingent of 9,500 UN troops in Haiti, said 
the international community needs to act with firmness and prudence.

The US is presiding in the UN Security Council in February and so sets its 
agenda.

On Monday, thousands marched in Port-au-Prince for a second day as it became 
increasingly apparent that Mr Preval might face a run-off on 19 March.

Angry protesters say electoral officials have tampered with the vote count to 
keep him from a first-round victory.

Final results had initially been scheduled for Sunday evening - but as it 
stands now they may not be known for a few days.

Burning tyres and roadblocks paralysed the capital's streets.

Witnesses told local media that UN peacekeepers had fired into crowds of 
demonstrators massing in the middle class Tabarre district, killing at least 
one.

But UN spokesman David Wimhurst insisted troops had only fired two shots in the 
air. "No individuals were wounded by UN peacekeepers," he said.

'Free and fair'

In the Petionville neighbourhood, thousands of screaming Preval supporters 
poured into the luxury Montana Hotel, where election officials have been 
tallying results.

UN peacekeepers barred access to the election centre and - after hours spent 
chanting pro-Preval slogans and frolicking in the hotel pool - the crowd 
finally dispersed.

Mr Preval, who is leading more than 30 presidential candidates, held a 61% lead 
when the first results were released late last week, but his share of the vote 
has since dropped.

There have been accusations of ballot mishandling - but the head of Haiti's 
electoral council has denied the allegations.

International observers have deemed the election free and fair, despite saying 
there were some minor procedural irregularities.

Haiti - the poorest country in the continent - is choosing a 129-member 
parliament as well as a new president.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/4711354.stm
Published: 2006/02/14 08:48:44 GMT
© BBC MMVI