Hti: Chimeres shoot anti-Aristide demonstrators

An anti-Aristide demonstration ended with at least four people killed Sunday when gunshots were fired from near the presidential palace.

Two policemen, a civilian and a Spanish journalist were shot to death, witnesses said.

One hospital reported that it was treating 11 people for gunshot wounds. At least three journalists were among the wounded.

It was not clear how many victims may have been taken to other hospitals.

This, too,

Thousands of Mr. Aristide's opponents were gathered near the palace gates when the shooting started. Witnesses said the gunmen were chimères, the toughs Mr. Aristide had used to enforce his authority.

"The chimères just started shooting at us out of nowhere," said Sacha Baker, an opposition protester. "The cops started shooting back, and a lot of people were hit. The marines were nowhere to be seen."

Three marines returned fire from inside the palace gates, said Maj. Richard Crusan, a Marines spokesman in Port-au-Prince. He said a first volley came from outside the gates at 2:40 p.m. and a second from outside the gates eight minutes later.

Also, it looks like the government in Bangui is suppressing Aristide and his wife's right to free speech. Aristide's wife, Mildred Trouillot was supposed to speak at a news conference.

When Trouillot arrived with two bodyguards, Minister of Foreign Affairs Herve Charles WenezouiÝwaved her to the back of the room. Despite protests by the journalists, she was not allowed to speak.

Instead, Wenezoui read a one-page handwritten note from Aristide that he said Trouillot had brought.

"We thank the people of the government of the Central African Republic for its hospitality in taking us in and making us feel at home. We are happy here and extend our thanks to all the people of this country," Wenezoui said the note read.

Wenezoui refused to allow journalists to inspect the note.

In the same report, this:

Minister of Information Parfait M'Bay said last week that Aristide would be granted asylum, but only if he asked for it.

Regarding the restrictions on Aristide's communication with the outside world, M'Bay said, "We made Mr. Aristide understand that in no case could he use the territory of Central Africa, the hospitality of Central Africa, to create problems for his country by calling on the people to revolt, for example, or by making regrettable statements."