Chaos and fear grip Haiti capital

Supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide erected barricades across the city after the political opposition rejected an international peace plan.

The United States on Wednesday said it had no plans to send troops to restore order in the country.

President Bush also warned that Haitians trying to flee to the US would be turned back by the Coast Guard.


Two car dealers were looted and gunfire was reported in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, AFP news agency reported.

Fleeing

Supporters of Preisdent Aristide have put up barricades made up overturned cars throughout the city.

The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Port-au-Prince says many militiamen, wearing ski masks, have bee stopping cars, threatening and sometimes robbing the passengers.

Foreigners are trying to flee to the airport.

The Associated Press news agency says one American trying to drive there abandoned his car and set off of foot, carrying a suitcase.

A group of non-essential UN personnel asked for US Marine protection to escort them to the airport.

The rebels have captured the northern half of the country since the uprising was launched in early April.

The insurgents are a coalition of former Aristide supporters and exiled soldiers who served under the military junta ousted in 1994.

'First things first'

Haiti's political opposition - which does not support the rebels - on Tuesday rejected a plan by international mediators to set up a coalition government.

In Washington, President Bush said the deteriorating situation may require international intervention in Haiti - but only once a peace deal had been reached.

"Incident to a political settlement, we will encourage the international community to provide a security presence," the US president told reporters. "First things first".

He said State Department officials were still working to win acceptance of the settlement plan, which is also supported by Canada and the European Union.

The plan has been accepted by Mr Aristide - but the opposition insists he should step down.

Friendless

Mr Bush also sought to discourage any Haitian tempted to flee the fighting to reach the US by boat.

"I have made it abundantly clear to the Coast Guard that we will turn back any refugee that attempts to reach our shore."

In 1994 President Bill Clinton despatched 20,000 US troops to Haiti to restore President Aristide to power.

The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says some US politicians continue to back the Haitian president - but most have been put off him by his record of human-rights abuses.

Several governments have encouraged their nationals to leave Haiti, including the US, which has sent marines to protect its embassy.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for the departure of all non-essential UN staff in Haiti.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3487472.stm