Haiti Uprising Leaves at Least 47 Dead

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Haiti Uprising Leaves at Least 47 Dead

By IAN JAMES
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 12, 2004; 2:32 AM

GONAIVES, Haiti - President Jean-Bertrand Aristide vowed to serve out the rest of his term despite an armed uprising that has left at least 47 dead, sparked looting and reprisal killings, and weakened his presidency.

The United States has ruled out intervention, but the White House rebuked Aristide's government for the violence and called on the leader to respect human rights.

Wearing stolen police helmets and carrying stolen weapons, rebels on Wednesday patrolled the streets of Gonaives, Haiti's fourth-largest city, in a search for detractors and government supporters. One accused government hitman was doused with gasoline and set ablaze; another was shot to death.

In the port city of St. Marc, south of Gonaives, police attacked rebels who were holed up in a slum and gunmen loyal to Aristide torched homes. Photographers saw three dead bodies with bullet wounds to their heads. Witnesses said the victims were anti-Aristide activists.