| EFL to just the new stuff. |
Rebels occupied the national police headquarters but kept away from the U.S.-guarded presidential palace after their convoy entered the capital Monday to the cheers of thousands celebrating the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Dozens of insurgents packing an eclectic array of weapons dating to World War II swaggered around a posh hotel where rebel leader Guy Philippe met with members of the political coalition that opposed Aristide. He was joined by rebel commander Louis-Jodel Chamblain, who is a former army death squad leader and a convicted assassin.
With U.S. military forces on the ground and more on the way, Aristide told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he was "forced to leave" Haiti by U.S. military forces. He added that they would "start shooting and be killing" if he refused, but it was unclear if he was referring to rebels or U.S. agents.
| There's Marine discipline, and rebel discipline. Guess. |
Aristide was put in contact with The Associated Press by the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday following a news conference in Atlanta, where the civil rights leader called on Congress to investigate Aristide's ouster.
| Hey look -- right on cue! |
U.S. officials called the allegation - repeated earlier by other U.S. critics who said they were called by Aristide - "nonsense" and "absurd." Philippe said he planned to make preparations for the new president, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre, to assume office, as called for in the constitution. "We are waiting for the order from the president to know what we're going to do," he said. "The country has a good start... People can be secure. They're not alone." His convoy of some 70 rebels was greeted by thousands of Haitians, many shouting "Liberty!" and "Aristide is gone!" as the militants entered the city.
| Not that the latter cry has much to do with the former. |
But a half dozen U.S. Marines guarded the palace and the rebels did not approach. Philippe has said that he has no political aspirations but wants reinstituted the Haitian army that ousted Aristide in 1991 and that Aristide disbanded in 1995. |