Thousands march demanding Aristide’s return

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Thousands of people demanding the return of Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched on the US and French Embassies yesterday, shouting their anger at his ouster and denouncing the “occupation” of their homeland by US Marines and French legionnaires.

A seven-member Council of Sages was also chosen yesterday and immediately began meeting to find a new prime minister to head the country’s transitional government. About 10,000 protesters, a few with pistols tucked into their belts, charged past the embassies and the presidential National Palace, mooning Marines along the way and chanting “Up with Aristide and down with Bush!” It was the first massive protest in favour of Aristide since the ousted president fled to Africa on Sunday, as rebels prepared for a final push on Port-au-Prince and the United States and France pressed the former priest to bow out. US troops watched impassively as the protesters passed. “If it comes to that, we will confront the US Marines,” said demonstrator Pierre Paul, 35. “We will do the same thing that they are doing in Iraq.”

Rebel leader Guy Philippe said he might meet with opposition leaders to talk about re-establishing the army that ousted Aristide in 1991 and that he in turn disbanded in 1995 after he was restored by a US invasion. Earlier, US General James Hill of the Southern Command came out strongly against that idea. The army has fomented 32 coups in Haiti’s 200 years of independence and its murderous instincts and corruption are largely blamed for making the Caribbean country one of the most miserable in the world. “There is no need for a Haitian army,” Hill said. He said US Light Armored Vehicles were placed at the Presidential Palace to stop looting that had erupted in recent days and prevent opposition forces from taking over.