Haitian Opposition Asks Resumption of National Strike as Junta Refuses to Quit

The military-led junta ignored an opposition deadline for it to resign Monday, and forces opposed to the Haitian government called for the renewal on Wednesday of a nationwide general strike.

The “57 Organizations,” a left-of-center coalition of activist and grass-roots groups, which has previously paralyzed the country with an on-and-off stoppage, said that on Wednesday “the strike will be resumed more stiffly.” However, it did not indicate for how long.

The strike movement had halted most activity in industry, commerce and bureaucracy between June 29 and July 7. Last week, the 57 Organizations demanded that the three-man National Government Council, headed by Lt. Gen. Henri Namphy, step down by Monday. But on Monday, there was no indication that the council intended to do any such thing.

In a statement calling for resumption of the general strike, the 57 Organizations also urged provincial government officials to resign in protest against the junta.

Jean-Claude Bajeux, a top leader of the coalition, predicted in an interview that “collective pressure from the people” will bring a growing wave of local government resignations. “A lot of civil servants have already resigned, and we are going to intensify the movement,” he said.

Bajeux added that beginning Wednesday, protesters in major provincial cities will attempt to “isolate” those areas from the rest of the country. Asked if he means that roads will be barricaded, he nodded, then said, “I can’t tell them to put up roadblocks--it’s illegal.”

In their statement, broadcast over Haitian radio stations, leaders of the 57 Organizations made an indirect appeal for a tax boycott, alleging that the government is rearming the Tontons Macoutes, the secret police force that terrorized Haitians for three decades under the dictatorships of Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude. The younger Duvalier was ousted in February, 1986, and forced into exile.

“Haitian citizens all over the country should stop filling the pockets of a government that is wasting the money of the people and buying weapons, so that the Macoutes may kill people,” the announcement urged.

The Tontons Macoutes were disbanded when Jean-Claude Duvalier fled to France. Goaded by a powerful popular protest movement, he handed power over to the current National Government Council.

Elections Scheduled

Under this officially military-civilian body’s administration, Haitian voters have approved a new constitution, and presidential elections have been scheduled for Nov. 27. However, in June, Namphy and his allies seized control over elections from an independent Provisional Electoral Council and dissolved a leftist-led federation of unions.

To protest those two measures, the 57 Organizations joined in the general strike movement. Violent protests broke out and security forces reacted severely; at least 22 people were shot to death.

Within a week after the strike began, the government returned control over elections to the Electoral Council and reinstated the labor federation. But by then, the 57 Organizations were calling for the regime’s removal, arguing that it had violated the constitution and could not be trusted to hold free elections.

A key to the general strike’s success in Port-au-Prince was the absence from the streets of “tap-taps,” multicolored jitneys and minibuses that are virtually the only mode of mass transportation. The tap-tap drivers’ union supported the strike movement.

Many workers have told reporters that they wanted to work on strike days but were unable to reach their jobs.

One influential Haitian who opposes a renewal of the strike is Herard Simon, a well-known leader of Haiti’s popular Voodoo faith. Simon told Agence France-Presse, the French wire service, that the regime has a firm grip on power and that poor people cannot afford more days without pay. His statements, including a call for dialogue between the government and the opposition, were broadcast.

Bajeux, the 57 Organizations spokesman, acknowledged that Simon’s statements could weaken the strike movement. “That was a blow,” he said.