Scores of armed rebels approached Gonaives and some sneaked into the city despite opposition from U.N. peacekeepers, ratcheting up more tension in the city of a quarter million devastated by floods more than a week ago.
| Yep. Those peacekeepers are working well... |
Barefooted survivors still walk through sewage and mud. Gangsters are looting food aid. Widespread damage to crops and livestock has experts fearing a famine.
| Hurricanes... Mudslides... Volcanic eruptions... Swarms of ravenous frogs... Zombies... Toutatis... And now: |
Radio Vision 2000 reported Wednesday that about 150 heavily armed rebels in trucks tried to enter the city in northwest Haiti but turned around when ordered to by U.N. peacekeepers guarding the entrance, which has been a flashpoint for looting.
"Stand aside, you peacekeepers! We're comin' in!"
"No, you ain't!"
"Hokay." |
But an AP reporter encountered about 20 fatigue-clad rebels inside the city as darkness fell. They were in front of the main international food aid warehouse belonging to CARE and confronting U.N. troops. The only visible weapons the rebels had were a rifle, a pistol and a knife.
| "Look out, Juan-Carlos! He's got a rifle, a pistol and a knife!" |
The rebels were telling the peacekeepers they had come to provide security and patrol the city.
"Yeah! We're gonna provide security!"
"Right." |
The peacekeepers, who have complained about lack of help from Haiti's demoralized police force, said they would welcome the help but that the rebels would have to give up their guns.
| "How the hell can we provide security if we ain't got no guns?" |
The confrontation occurred soon after people looted a food warehouse, according to Haitian radio reports. CARE, an international humanitarian organization, said it was not its warehouse, as some had reported. Anne Poulsen of the U.N. World Food Program, which is providing most food in Gonaives, said it was believed to be a government warehouse.
"Legume!"
"Yes, Mr. Minister Mathieu!"
"Bring me my cape!"
"Yessir!"
"And my saxophone!"
"Yessir!"
"And my pipe!"
"Yessir!"
"Legume, call the reporters! I have an announcement to make!" |
Agriculture Minister Phillipe Mathieu told reporters Tuesday that "We believe the lootings are planned by gangs." |