Arms Embargo - a Hitch in Haiti Security Plans

[seemslikeadream]

Fri Mar 19, 2004 10:12 AM ET

By Joseph Guyler Delva
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Disarming gangs, rebels and people in general may be the key to peace in Haiti. But it won't happen unless the Caribbean country's police can arm themselves to the teeth.

As a new U.S.-backed government takes the reins following ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's flight into exile, a U.S. embargo on selling weapons to Haiti is proving to be a huge stumbling block to restoring order.

"I think it will be very difficult to take up that challenge, if the embargo remains in effect," said Haiti's new police chief, Leon Charles. "The Haitian government will not be able to purchase the equipment we need to provide security to the Haitian people."

The embargo on sales to Haiti of weapons and other police equipment was imposed shortly after a bloody military coup against Aristide in 1991.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4606930&pageNumber=0


Haitian National Revolutionary Liberation Front Commander-in-Chief, Guy Philippe, hugs other soldiers from the Front in Cap-Haitien, Haiti as they celebrate after their assault and capture of Haiti's second-largest city on February 22, 2004. (Reuters/Daniel Morel).