Rebels Preparing to Attack Haiti Capital
Rebels Say They Are Preparing to Attack Port-Au-Prince As Foreigners and Haitians Flee
The Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Feb. 26 — Haiti's rebel leader said his fighters were advancing on the capital Thursday, awaiting an order to attack unless President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns. The United States questioned whether Aristide could "effectively continue" in office.
With Haiti's ill-equipped police force not expected to put up much resistance against a rebel assault, government loyalists began building defenses in front of the National Palace in Port-au-Prince.
At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Haiti, Caribbean nations called for a multinational force to end the violence. But the United States and France said they want a political settlement first.
In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell openly questioned whether Aristide can continue to serve effectively as Haiti's leader the closest Powell has come to suggesting that Aristide bow out as president before his elected term ends in February 2006.
"Whether or not he is able to effectively continue as president is something he will have to examine carefully in the interests of the Haitian people," Powell told reporters.
Powell's comments came a day after French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin called on Aristide to resign.