Special edition
Haitian Crisis
Haitian
opposition call for more protest and two days of strike
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 ORT-AU-PRINCE,
Haiti – Opposition groups in Haiti have called strikes and
protests aimed at toppling President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Source BBC
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A coalition of civic groups and political parties said they would
hold a rally on Wednesday and a two-day general strike on Thursday
and Friday.
The announcement came as a Caribbean delegation arrived to help
mediate in Haiti's political crisis.
Last week, President Aristide pledged to hold elections this year
as Haiti marked 200 years of independence.
However, the opposition has refused to take part in new
parliamentary elections unless the president resigns.
"Our principle is everyone together to save the
nation," said one opposition leader, Charles Henry Baker, a
local businessman.
Bitter dispute
Haiti became the world's first black republic and the first
country in the western hemisphere to abolish slavery after French
rule ended in 1804.
But last week's anniversary celebrations were marred by clashes
between supporters and opponents of President Aristide.
Mr Aristide has been locked in stalemate with the opposition
since 2000, when he returned to power in a landslide election which
his opponents say were rigged.
Despite opposition demands that he step down, Mr Astride has
vowed to serve out his term, which ends in 2006.
Opposition leaders at news
conference. From left to right Montes Joseph, Charles
Henri Baker and Hervé Saintilus
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The 15-member Caribbean Community or Caricom, to which Haiti has
belonged since 2002, is attempting to mediate in the bitter
political dispute.
A team of four Caricom representatives arrived on Monday for a
three-day fact-finding trip.
The team is hoping to pave the way for a meeting between the two
sides later this month, possibly in Jamaica.
The mission has the backing of United Nations Secretary General
Kofi Annan, who pledged to work with Caricom to resolve the Haitian
crisis.
However, the team's arrival coincided with the opposition's
latest call for strike action.
Turbulent history
Caricom said its decision to send the team followed reports of
"a deteriorating political situation in Haiti, resulting in
widespread incidents of violence and loss of life".
More than 20 people have been killed in various anti-government
protests since September.
For decades, Haiti's pride has been dented by poverty and
dictatorship which have left it the poorest country in the Americas.
The US encouraged the leadership of President Aristide 10 years
ago, but is now concerned that he may not have enough control of the
provincial cities where most of the recent clashes have taken place.
During its 200 years of independence, Haiti has had 53 different
leaders.
Twenty-one of them were overthrown and just eight survived a full
term in power.
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