Haiti Won't Yield to Rebel Demands, "President" Says

Haitian President Boniface Alexandre said on Thursday his administration would not give in to rebels who took over a southern town six days ago to back demands for the reestablishment of the army. "The government is going to do everything necessary to regain control of positions taken by the former military," Alexandre told a news conference shortly after he arrived from Panama, where he attended the inauguration of President Martin Torrijos. "Haiti does not have two security forces. We won't accept it, and we will never accept it," he said. The military was disbanded in 1995 by then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Former soldiers, who helped overthrow Aristide in February, say the government owes them more than 10 years of back pay, which Haitian authorities deny. [more ]