Aristide's Party Demands Protection

[Quetzal]

Aristide's Party Demands Protection

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Members of ousted Haiti President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's political party refused Friday to join a council overseeing new elections unless the nation's interim leaders agreed to protect their political movement.

The announcement came as the U.N. Security Council authorized a wide-ranging mission of more than 8,000 troops and police to help stabilize the troubled Caribbean nation. The U.N. mission will start June 1 and last for at least six months.

Haitian leaders have been trying to organize fresh polls since Aristide's Lavalas Family party swept disputed legislative elections in 2000. Elections are scheduled for next year.

After the victory, senators who won disputed seats agreed to step down, but the opposition refused to participate in new elections, saying balloting would not be free and fair because of widespread insecurity and pro-Aristide gangs.

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http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1102/4-30-2004/20040430183008_13.html