A celebration marking the 200th anniversary of Haiti's independence from France turned into a scene of internal strife, with bloody clashes breaking out between police and protesters.
The demonstrations, in spots across the country, underscored the growing unrest under President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
More than 15,000 Aristide supporters rallied outside the National Palace on Thursday as the president clasped hands with guests including South African President Thabo Mbeki and American actor Danny Glover. The surge of support came as more than 5,000 government opponents massed in the capital's streets and faced off with police and government partisans.
PHOTO: AP
Police fired tear gas and warning shots as crowds ran for cover, coughing from clouds of the stinging gas. Some demonstrators fell to the ground in protest, shouting: "Freedom!"
At least two protesters were wounded by bullets and six were hit by rocks.
"Today is a day for celebrating freedom," said Rodney William, 33, a business owner.
"But for us, that means freedom from slavery and freedom from Aristide," he said.
Haiti was born after the world's first successful slave rebellion. The bicentennial was a bittersweet remembrance for a country that triumphed over slavery and colonialism two centuries ago, only to become the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, struggling to neutralize nagging political and economic troubles.
Aristide, like many leaders before him, spoke of the future on Thursday instead of the past. His beleaguered administration has been rendered ineffective by a lingering political impasse and shaky international support. He is barred from running for a third term.
"It was 1804 that was the stinging bee but 2004 is sure to be the year of honey," Aristide said, as he rallied a crowd of supporters.
Protesters burned tire barricades in the streets and the crackle of gunfire was heard in Port-au-Prince as darkness descended Thursday night. Demonstrations were also held in a few provincial towns.
Tensions have increased in Haiti since Aristide's Lavalas Family party swept 2000 legislative elections which some observers said were flawed. The contested seats were eventually vacated by senators, but the opposition has refused to participate in new elections unless security is improved and Aristide steps down. Since mid-September, violent anti-government protests have killed at least 41.
Aristide has refused to cave to opposition demands but faces fading support. Defying threats of violence on Thursday, he spoke in the capital and then headed to Gonaives where the declaration of independence was signed on Jan. 1, 1804.
``The time has come ... to demand respect for the Constitution, respect for everybody without distinction,'' Aristide told about 2,000 supporters in Gonaives' central square.
But the decaying city was bare of fanfare for the historic day.
"The people are afraid. A ghost town is celebrating the bicentennial with Aristide," said Rosanne Dalzon, 30.
A group of prisoners broke through a wall at the National Penitentiary and escaped Thursday in Port-au-Prince as riot police tried to push back anti-government protesters. It was unclear how many inmates got away but three were captured.
The government spent US$15 million on the bicentennial celebrations, including galas, fireworks and the dedication of a monument to Haiti's forefathers.
Haiti's independence leader, Toussaint Louverture, was captured and imprisoned on the French-Swiss border, where he died. But on Nov. 18, 1803, French troops surrendered to forces led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Independence became official when Haitians presented a declaration in a New Year's Day ceremony at Gonaives' central square.
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