Thousands March in Haitian Capital to Demand Ouster of Junta

Thousands of Haitians marched through the streets of this capital Friday, demanding the ouster of Haiti’s military-led provisional government. Many shouted slogans against the United States, which supports the government, and cheers for the Communist Party, which helped organize the protest march.

It was the largest demonstration yet in a wave of anti-government protests that began June 29, and protest leaders have vowed to keep pressing for the fall of the three-man National Government Council headed by Lt. Gen. Henri Namphy.

Friday’s march was billed as a “plebiscite” to show popular support for a government change. An estimated 10,000 demonstrators waved anti-government placards, danced, chanted and sang as they moved along J.J. Dessalines Boulevard, the widest downtown street.

“Down with the Americans, long live the Communists,” sang large groups of demonstrators. Scattered throughout the procession were anti-government placards signed “PUCH,” the French initials of the Unified Communist Party of Haiti.

A young man who gave his name as Jean Emile shouted, “Down with Namphy, long live the Communists”--but told reporters he is not a Communist himself.

“We have problems,” he said. “We know when we call for the Communists, the Americans will do many things for us.”

“They will come and get Namphy out right now,” said another young man, who identified himself as Jean Robert.

Down the street, a crowd danced to a calypso beat and sang, “If Namphy stays, the country will be Communist.” Maggie Audent, a 29-year-old nurse, stopped to complain to reporters about U.S. policy.

“They are always supporting this kind of dictatorial government,” she said. “If they are going to support criminals, then we are going to go Communist.”

On Thursday, in a broadcast for Haitian listeners by the Voice of America, State Department official Elliott Abrams emphasized U.S. support for the National Government Council, known as the CNG. Abrams, who is assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, said the support is given because the government is making progress toward democracy.

Presidential and congressional elections are scheduled for Nov. 27.

“As long as the CNG is continuing down those tracks--and I advise you that it is continuing down those tracks--and it is committed to it, they’re going to have our support,” he said.

Jean-Claude Bajeux, a leader of an anti-government coalition called the “57 Organizations,” told reporters at the protest march that American support for the CNG is “obsolete.”

“Monday, if Namphy is still there, the country will be blocked, paralyzed, and there will be no possibility for the government to govern,” Bajeux said.

The 57 Organizations, a leftist-oriented, non-Communist alliance of grass-roots and activist groups, called the recent general strike and was the main organizer of Friday’s march. Bajeux and other leaders of the 57 Organizations said they did not agree with the pro-Communist slogans voiced by many marchers.

The 57 Organizations has proposed a five-member government council to replace the two military officers and one civilian currently in the CNG, but Bajeux said Friday that he does not care who replaces them as long as they step down.

“The people have decided--they have to go,” he said. “It is over. They have to go.”

He predicted more popular protests, including the blocking of roadways. He said a growing number of local officials in the provinces are resigning in protest.

“The people will ask for everyone to resign,” Bajeux said. “And in 24 hours, if you have not resigned, I feel sorry for you.

“And how can you run this country without any officials?”

22 Killed in First Week

Authorities kept security forces in their barracks Friday, and no serious incidents of violence were reported. During the first week of the general strike, at least 22 people were killed, most by soldiers and policemen firing at suspected troublemakers.

As Friday’s march began to break up under a wilting midday sun, large throngs split off and roamed through downtown streets. Several hundred protesters stopped at the national palace and jeered army guards stationed behind an iron grillwork fence.

When a crowd attempted to place a funeral wreath on a guard post, troops fired tear-gas canisters, and one canister grazed the head of a young man, witnesses said.

Later, a handful of protesters burned an American flag in front of the U.S. Embassy.