Mon, Mar 15, 2004 - Page 7 News List

Haitians resent US peacekeepers

GUNBATTLE US Marines said they killed two men who had fired on them, although no weapons were found. Witnesses said the dead were bystanders

AP , PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

He visited US troops at their barracks, shaking hands with Marines. But he did not talk with Haitian officials.

At a news conference, he said: "As far as Aristide's return to the region is concerned, if that increases the violence here, then that would be extremely unhelpful."

The violence is the biggest challenge facing Latortue, the new prime minister who was sworn in on Friday.

Aristide claims he is still the legitimate leader of Haiti, and that the US government forced him out. US officials say Aristide asked for help and that they saved his life by arranging his departure aboard a US-chartered aircraft during a bloody rebellion.

Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, the chairman of the Caribbean Community, invited Latortue to visit Jamaica this weekend for talks. But Robert Ulysse, an aid to Latortue, said the prime minister would stay in Haiti and focus on setting up his Cabinet.

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