Originally: UN spokesman warns Lavalas supporters against
Lavalas supporters were planning to hold a pro-Aristide demonstration in Bel-Air today, but it has been barred by the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). According to Lt. Col. Elouafi Boulbars, due to the violations and serious provocation that marked the recent Lavalas demonstration, the Lavalas supporters are exposing themselves to extremely serious dangers by taking part in this street movement, which he considers illegal.
The MINUSTAH officer, who issued a warning to the organizers of the demonstration, reminded them that it is not the role of MINUSTAH to authorize demonstrations. Instead, the organizers need to contact the relevant authorities for permission.
Colonel Boulbars: Sanmba Boukman, spokesman for the Movement of Resistance of the People’s Forces in Bel-Air (MRFPB) has informed MINUSTAH of his organization’s intention to hold a demonstration in Bel-Air today from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. We want to remind Boukman of the following: Mr. Boukman, you know very well the procedures you should follow and who you should contact to obtain authorization for the organization of such an activity. We want to remind you that MINUSTAH forces agreed to support the demonstration of March 29, despite its illegal nature. We did this especially so that we could protect people’s lives, but it is not going to be the same today.
We want to remind Boukman that the blue helmets observed instances of violence and very serious exactions and provocation. Things could have been a lot worse without the presence of the MINUSTAH forces.
We therefore advise the supporters of this movement not to take part in activities that have been declared illegal. Otherwise, they will expose themselves to very serious dangers.