Haitians demand Preval step down Rally called by 40 political, opposition groups

BY JOSEPH GUYLER DELVA
Reuters
PORT-AU-PRINCE – Haitian police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse protesters calling for President Rene Preval’s resignation Monday after some demonstrators robbed passersby and tried to crash through barricades around the national palace.
Haiti’s government has come under strong criticism for its response to the Jan. 12 earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and caused damage estimated at up to 120 percent of the impoverished Caribbean country’s gross domestic product.
About 1,000 demonstrators took to the streets to denounce what they called a plan by Preval to sell the country to foreign powers and remain in power beyond his legal term, allegations that the government has denied.
The protest was called by nearly 40 political parties and other opposition groups. Police reacted when protesters tried to break through a security perimeter around the quake-damaged palace where Preval was holding meetings.
In March, international donors pledged $10 billion over 10 years to help Haiti rebuild. Projects are to be reviewed and approved by an interim committee co-chaired by Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President and U.N. special envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton. The committee is comprised of an equal number of Haitian and foreign members. Some Haitians see the creation of the commission as a violation of Haiti’s constitution and sovereignty.
“Preval should leave power and he should be arrested,” shouted Maxime Geffrard, one of the demonstrators. “He is a traitor because he wants to sell the country to foreigners.”

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3 thoughts on “Haitians demand Preval step down Rally called by 40 political, opposition groups

  1. There was a lot more than 1,000 people on the streets.
    Delva seems to be working for Preval – as usual.
    Many towns, around the country, had demonstrations against Preval.
    The ones in Port-au-Prince – several different districts moving to join near the National Palace – must have numbered in excess of 20,000.
    I remember when Delval caught his wife and Preval in a compromising situation. Preval wanted to have him killed. Now Delva swallows the humiliations, and serves Preval

  2. is this reporter blind? there were so many people, in many places. i am not expert in reporting, but i saw closer to 10,000 or more in the streets.

    a crowd of 1,000 is a daily thing here. this was not the same. many many more were here, and preval should have fear.

  3. I was part of the manifestation.
    There were many students there as were many doctors and other professionals. Many thousands, throughout our land, marched against the Preval governement.
    As usual, the media lies and follows their own agenda.

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