National News Haiti rebels capture major city as U.S. attempts to broker peace plan

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CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (AP) - Rebels captured Haiti's second-largest city with little resistance Feb. 22, claiming Cap-Haitien as their biggest prize in a two-week uprising against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide that has driven government forces from half the country.

Aristide, wildly popular when he became Haiti's first freely elected leader in 1990, has lost support since flawed legislative elections in 2000 that led international donors to freeze millions of dollars in aid.

Opponents accuse him of breaking promises to help the poor, allowing corruption fueled by drug-trafficking, and masterminding attacks on opponents by armed gangs - charges the president denies.

The rebels say they have no political agenda beyond ousting Aristide, but the man who started the rebellion, Gonaives gang leader Buteur Metayer, has since declared himself the president of liberated Haiti.

U.S. diplomats presented a peace plan that was accepted by Aristide but resisted by the opposition coalition, which says any plan must include Aristide's resignation.

Under the plan, Aristide would remain president with diminished powers, sharing with political rivals a government that would organize elections.

ハイチ反政府勢力が主要都市制圧

アリスティド大統領の辞任を求めて武装蜂起した反政府勢力は22日、ハイチ第2の都市カパイシアンを制圧した。

Shukan ST: March 5, 2004

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