[Peace-discuss] All quiet along the Gulf...

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Requiescant in pace. Given the recent admission that UN
troops killed unarmed civilians in a raid on Cite Soleil and
the suicide (?) of the Brazilian commander of a UN contingent,
this incident suggests that the success of the US coup may be
eroding.  It's interesting that neocon whackjob Bolton thinks
so and is worried...  --CGE]


 BBC NEWS
 Two UN soldiers killed in Haiti

Two Jordanian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations in
Haiti have been shot dead in a volatile district of the
capital, Port-au-Prince.

A third UN soldier, also from Jordan, was injured in the
attack on a checkpoint in the Cite Soleil district.

The deaths come a day after protesters demanded the UN take
action against crime before upcoming elections.

Peacekeepers were sent to Haiti after President Jean Bertrand
Aristide was ousted in 2004.

Tuesday's attack took place in Cite Soleil, a slum area of
Port-au-Prince regarded as fiercely loyal to Mr Aristide.

The area is often blighted by violence and controlled by gangs
loyal to the ousted president.

Elections 'secure'

The latest incident comes as peacekeepers try to improve
security before the elections next month.

Haitian and UN officials said the shooting would not derail
plans for the vote.

However the US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, described
the situation as "very, very disturbing".

The polls are being held to elect a permanent government to
replace the transitional government installed when Mr
Aristide's fled the country.

They have been postponed several times amid logistical and
security problems.

UN troops in Haiti have often been criticised for not doing
enough to improve security.

At least nine peacekeepers have been killed in Haiti since
their initial deployment.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/4622772.stm

Published: 2006/01/18 00:28:11 GMT

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