Haitian church official says violence decreases in capital

Published: 2006-01-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the weeks leading up to the presidential election, violence and insecurity have decreased in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, said the permanent secretary of the Haitian bishops' conference. "From what I see, from what I hear, the insecurity is still there" but the kidnapping and violence have decreased slightly, said Msgr. Andre Pierre. "I don't see as much violence on the streets." Despite what Msgr. Pierre calls a "general cycle of fear," he said that from what he has seen on TV presidential campaigns have been peaceful. Presidential elections, which have been canceled three times because of violence and insecurity, are scheduled for Feb. 7. Despite the multiple postponements, Msgr. Pierre told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Jan. 20 that some people still do not want the elections to take place. "What I hear from one side: 'They shouldn't be held, so reconsider the whole process,'" he said. "There are problems of logistics, problems of organizing as a whole -- the planning of the election, planning the location for voting."

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