Military

DATE=03/05/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=HAITI UNREST (L)

NUMBER=2-313868

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE=PORT-AU-PRINCE

CONTENT=

INTRO: Thousands of supporters of former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide demonstrated peacefully, on Friday protesting what they say was his forceful removal from power. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports the protests came as a seven-member council was named which will have the task of selecting a new prime minister for Haiti.

TEXT: ///ACTUALITY OF CROWD UP AND UNDER ////

Thousands of Haitian supporters of former President Jean Bertrand

Aristide poured out of the Port-au-Prince slums to march around the

country's National Palace and past the U-S and French embassies. The demonstrators chanted anti-U-S slogans at impassive Marines guarding the palace and the embassy before dispersing.

It was the first large protest by supporters of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide since he fled Haiti on Sunday. In recent interviews Mr. Aristide has charged he was forced to leave Haiti by the United States, a charge U-S officials strongly deny.

The protests took place as a three-member commission announced the

formation of a seven-member council which will appoint a new Haitian

prime minister. The council and a new prime minister will function as an interim government until elections can be held. U-S Ambassador James Foley on Friday called the establishment of the so-called council of wise men, an opportunity for Haiti to write a new political chapter.

/// FOLEY ACTUALITY ///

It is a remarkable opportunity for Haiti to turn the corner on the

violence and all of the problems that have afflicted the country and to build for a better future.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

U-S special forces troops have began reconnaissance missions in the

cities of Gonaives and Cap Haitian, as part of the multi-national troop effort authorized by the United Nations.

U-S Southern Command head, General James Hill, visited Haiti on Friday where he told journalists the main mission of the multi-national troops will be to strengthen Haiti's police force. General Hill says Haiti's army, which was disbanded ten years ago, will not be re-established.

/// HILL ACTUALITY ///

There is no need for a Haitian army. I was here when President Aristide disbanded it and that was the correct thing to do at the time. What we need to do today is re-establish a professional, working, effective police force of the right size.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

There are currently about two thousand multi-national troops in Haiti and several thousand more are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. (Signed)

NEB/JLT/RH