News
Haiti rogue army refuses to disband
Police Chief Mario Andresol said on Haitian radio Monday that the country has only one public security force, the national police department, along with the U.N. peacekeeping mission.
On Tuesday, leaders of the band said they had met with senior officials who agreed to appoint them to the high command of an interim force until the government officially restores the army by decree. They also said they expected a response from Haitian authorities within 72 hours, but instead heard over the radio that the government ordered them to leave the bases.
The Interior Ministry said it plans on Wednesday to give back pay to former soldiers who can show proof that they served in the military. The ex-soldiers have long argued they are entitled to US$15 million in lost wages and pensions.
But the group of ex-soldiers said they have no intention of showing up, pointing to an earlier effort by the government that proved futile.
“We’re telling them that the army must return,” Aubin said. “Liberty or death. Victory will be for us no matter what.”
Reached by telephone, Justice Minister Michel Brunache declined to comment.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
