From: cpt@igc.apc.org Date: 31 Jan 1996 19:45:44 -0600

CPTNET Jan, 31, 1996 HAITI: Are You Prepared To Face the Guns?

On Jan.29, Gabriel Ducatel, a lawyer and member of Parliament, met with CPT in Haiti. Looking them in the eyes he asked, “Are you prepared to face the guns? The United Nations with their big guns have not protected us nor have they helped us to disarm the former military and their thugs. When members of parliament were shot the UN discouraged our police from seaching the house of former General Prosper Avril where arm caches were then found. In Gonaives Nepalese UN soldiers turned against civilians as they accompanied our Police doing disarmament.”

“I risked my life for this? There is no work. People are hungry. There is still the threat from those with guns. The UN has not taken their guns. They never made an honest effort to do so. Haiti can’t advance as long as the guns are there,” lamented a University student who is not ready to put his name in print.

Lucienne, a mother of four, said,”I saw a young boy no more than eight years old, jump up to grab a watch off the arm of a UN soldier accompanying President Aristide’s motorcade as it entered City Soleil. Gangs of youth have been seen mounting UN vehicles stealing tarps, spare tires and sometimes getting bags of guns. Nobody stops them. No one arrests them!”

Lena Siegers, a long time CPTer in Haiti, responded to Gabriel Ducatel, “We are never ready to face the guns but we do so when it becomes necessary.” Ducatel added, “I am always amazed when I see people volutarily give their lives for others. I remember groups of CPTers in front of the National Palace during the Coup d’etat, calling for justice and peace while military personel pointed army rifles at them. Without the thugs disarmed, I myself am not yet ready to trust my life to guards without guns.”

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an initiative among Mennonite and Brethren congregations, and Friends meetings who participate in public responses to organized violence. Contact CPT at P. O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680 tel. FAX 312-455-1199 e-mail cpt@igc.apc.org

FORWARDED BY: — Jim Lynch <written at Rochester, New York> ==============================================================================

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