Jamaica returns arms to S Africa

[Ayinde]

Plane with weapons for Haiti landed in Kingston Sunday

www.jamaicaobserver.com

A South African military aircraft, which arrived too late with arms and equipment destined for the Haitian police, spent four days on the tarmac at Kingston's Norman Manley Airport before returning home on Wednesday with all its cargo onboard, the Jamaican government confirmed last night.

The South African press had reported last week that President Thabo Mbeki had agreed to send guns, bullets and bullet-proof vests to Haiti's ill-equipped police force to help Aristide, who was facing an armed insurrection, defend himself. Full Article

[Ayinde]

Haiti's rebels abandon claims of power after brief talk with Marines

Reuters , Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Friday, Mar 05, 2004

The decision by rebel leader Guy Philippe, whose month-long revolt led to Aristide's downfall, came after a brief meeting with the top US Marine officers in Haiti. He was told the US expected him to honor his word and disarm.

"We have decided to lay down our arms," Philippe said a day after announcing that he was chief of the military and police, in defiance of the US, which is heading a UN-authorized mission to restore order.

"The Front from now on has no men patrolling the streets," Philippe said, referring to the rebel forces. Full Article