- PARIS -- Violence in Haiti
has brought the Caribbean state to the brink of humanitarian "disaster"
that will lead to major food shortages within weeks if the international
community does nothing, a French aid group warned today.
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- The situation has not stopped deteriorating for the Haitian
people under the indifference of their leaders and the gaze of an international
community waiting on the sidelines, Action Contre la Faim (Action Against
Hunger, ACF) said in a statement.
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- The group said the situation could worsen within two
or three weeks because of the near paralysis of land transport. It urged
food and water distribution be set up, especially for children and the
elderly.
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- ACF has been in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in
the Western hemisphere, since 1988.
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- The country has been in the grip of a rebellion against
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide since February 5. Since then, more than
55 people have been killed and police have been abandoning their posts
in many areas.
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- France has been lobbying for an international security
force to be sent to Haiti - which it ruled in the 18th century - to quell
the violence.
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- But the United States has so far resisted the calls,
despite the possibility of a refugee influx similar to the one that preceded
the military intervention it led in 1994 to return Aristide to power after
he was ousted in a bloody coup.
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- © The Australian
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- http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8727332%255E1702,00.html
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