Haiti Tension Eases; Still Some Firing

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 15

Haiti Tension Eases; Still Some Firing

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

PORT AU PRINCE (Haiti), May 11.

Tension in Port au Prince eased somewhat today in spite of sporadic night-time firing and the reported arrest of a Roman Catholic priest, according to United Press International.

President Francois Duvalier’s Government was preparing to receive a five-nation fact-finding mission from the Organisation of American States on Tuesday.

The group, with its powers broadened since its first visit, met in Washington today to complete plans for its visit. In Washington, the chairman of the special mission, Mr Alberto Zuleta of Colombia, said: “I believe we will have no difficulties” in carrying out the mission's work in Haiti. Mr Zuleta said the peaceseeking task force would leave Washington by air on Tuesday afternoon for Haiti. He said he had received assurances from Haiti’s Foreign Minister (Mr Rene Chalmers) yesterday that the

Haitian Government would co-operate with the O.AJS. group.

The O.A.S. announced yesterday the mission would soon return to Haiti, saying it would be “not only empowered to make an on-the-spot investigataion but also to . . . (find) a prompt solution to the conflict and to ward off the threats to the peace and security of the area.” Last night the curfew in Port au Prince was reduced from nine hours to six hours —ll p.m. to 5 a .m.—although

anti - Government activity after dark has not be’en completely halted. Rifle and pistol shots can be heard in various sections of the capital every night. On Thursday, the home of the Depuity-Chief of Staff and former head of foreign press censorship, Colonel Jacques Laroche, was bombed, but there were no casualties.

Reports that the Rev. Miland, a parish priest, was arrested on unspecified charges on Tuesday night raised the possibility that President Duvalier may be

starting a campaign against the Church. Neighbours said they heard the policeman who arrested the priest say: “If you were white, you would be executed.” A dozen more American dependents left Haiti today, virtually completing evacuation of the families of United States diplomats and servicemen stationed here. In the meantime. President Juan Bosch, of the Dominican Republic, has thousands of troops poised on the border ready to strike into Haiti unless President Duvalier grants safe conduct to all 22 political refugees who have taken asylum in the Dominican Embassy in Port au Prince.