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CNN Saturday Morning News

International Delgation Hope to Make Progress in Haiti

Aired February 21, 2004 - 09:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Members of an international delegation hope to make progress toward peace in Haiti. They'll meet today with embattled president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, as well as members of the opposition.
CNN's Lucia Newman joins us now from Port-au-Prince, which has become a very anxious capital city. Lucia?

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Heidi.

Indeed, the delegation from countries including Canada, France, the United States, Caribbean nations, as well as representatives of the Organization of American States, are arriving at this very moment. The United States is represented by U.S. Undersecretary of State Rojer Noriega (ph). And as you mentioned, they will be meeting both with the president and with his opponents.

There is a tremendous sense of urgency that a political settlement to this conflict must be reached soon, before this country falls into total chaos. One of the proposals that they're putting forward is the need to disarm the armed gangs on both sides of this conflict.

Yesterday, armed thugs that were -- that are supportive of President Aristide clashed with students as they were marching peacefully to call for the president's resignation. They were armed with pistols, machetes, and rocks. According to hospital officials, at least 20 students were injured, nine of them very seriously, Heidi.

Now, in about an hour and a half, the multinational delegation will be meeting with the president to put forth the proposals for a settlement, as I mentioned, to this conflict. They include, as well, the need to have a prime minister appointed that is acceptable by both sides, as well as multiparty cabinet, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Lucia Newman, thank you so much for the update, coming to us this morning from Port-au-Prince. We appreciate your time today.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired February 21, 2004 - 09:08   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Members of an international delegation hope to make progress toward peace in Haiti. They'll meet today with embattled president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, as well as members of the opposition.
CNN's Lucia Newman joins us now from Port-au-Prince, which has become a very anxious capital city. Lucia?

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Heidi.

Indeed, the delegation from countries including Canada, France, the United States, Caribbean nations, as well as representatives of the Organization of American States, are arriving at this very moment. The United States is represented by U.S. Undersecretary of State Rojer Noriega (ph). And as you mentioned, they will be meeting both with the president and with his opponents.

There is a tremendous sense of urgency that a political settlement to this conflict must be reached soon, before this country falls into total chaos. One of the proposals that they're putting forward is the need to disarm the armed gangs on both sides of this conflict.

Yesterday, armed thugs that were -- that are supportive of President Aristide clashed with students as they were marching peacefully to call for the president's resignation. They were armed with pistols, machetes, and rocks. According to hospital officials, at least 20 students were injured, nine of them very seriously, Heidi.

Now, in about an hour and a half, the multinational delegation will be meeting with the president to put forth the proposals for a settlement, as I mentioned, to this conflict. They include, as well, the need to have a prime minister appointed that is acceptable by both sides, as well as multiparty cabinet, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Lucia Newman, thank you so much for the update, coming to us this morning from Port-au-Prince. We appreciate your time today.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com