Haiti the Fire This Time

By John Moody

Lieut. General Henri Namphy, the President of Haiti's interim National Council of Government, had expected the shake-up of his junta two weeks ago to appease his volatile countrymen. Instead, it provoked new anger in a country that was already on the verge of chaos. Last week Namphy appointed a new eleven-member Cabinet, completing a reshuffling process that began with the resignations of several members of the ruling council. Although three of the new ministers were drawn from the military, none was tainted by close association with the regime of former Presidentfor-Life Jean-Claude ("Baby Doc") Duvalier.

As the general addressed the country on radio and television early last week, crowds outside the National Palace shouted, "Down with Namphy!" Later, several thousand protesters went on a rampage of burning and vandalism throughout the capital city, Port-au-Prince. Thousands of youths set fire to autos, tires and building materials. The demonstrations paralyzed traffic and forced motorists and bus passengers to abandon their vehicles.

For the most part, soldiers and police, apparently under instructions not to use force, did nothing to stop the mob. That evening, when troops tried to reopen roadways that had been blocked with telephone poles, random gunfire broke out. A stray bullet struck a 13year-old girl standing outside her house, seriously wounding her. Said one disheartened resident: "It's another Beirut." With youths roving the streets and the national government clearly unable to maintain order, the analogy was not farfetched. Most Haitians deeply resent the vacuum of leadership in their country, but are unsure after so many years of dictatorial rule whether there is a leader in Haiti capable of unifying the country. Many are also convinced that nothing will change as long as the military dominates the National Council, and they want Namphy to honor his promise to hold elections for a civilian government. Prominent Haitians who had been living in exile are returning home now that Duvalier is gone, and many are potential presidential candidates.

The mood in the streets last week began to turn against the U.S., which flew Duvalier to France last Feb. 7. Before his departure, jubilant crowds had waved American flags. The latest protests, however, were peppered with anti- American slogans.

Last week's outbursts triggered a backlash among Haitians fed up with the wanton violence. Said Gregoire Eugene, an opponent of the Duvalier regime who now heads the Social Christian Party: "If we want to enjoy a democratic experience, it will only be possible in serenity, not by going into the streets and setting fires." Another potential candidate for President, Sylvio Claude, asked for a 15-day grace period to let the new government demonstrate positive results. During the week, thousands of volunteers began sprucing up areas of Port-au-Prince where garbage had been accumulating for years. Explained Shoemaker Bossuet Durantis, 46: "The Duvaliers made this country filthy. Now we are trying to clean it."

With reporting by Bernard Diederich/Port-au-Prince