UN peacekeepers killed in Haiti
Monday, 21 March 2005
UN peacekeepers killed in Haiti
Four people have died in gun battles in Haiti between UN troops and rebels. Two of those dead were peacekeepers from Sri Lanka and Nepal. The rebel former soldiers had helped to lead the rebellion to expel President Aristide from power last year. Aristide had disbanded Haiti's army in 1995 during his first term as president and its members have not been paid since. Rebels are opposed to the interim government following its refused to reinstate the military or reward them for their action in ousting Aristide. The interim government is waiting instead for the new government to decide on whether or not to re-establish the military following elections in November.
These are the first international soldiers to be killed by violence since their introduction into Haiti last June in order to bring stability to Haiti following the exile of its president. The Sri Lankan peace keeper died as a result of a raid in a southern police station held by the rebels. The Nepalese soldier was kicked in an attack on Sunday whilst on patrol. Members of Haiti's redundant army now control large areas of the country and are a major cause of instability in the region.
