PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - The government appointed a new chief of Haiti's much-criticized police force Tuesday, amid international pressure to create better conditions for elections.
District chief Jean-Claude Jean-Baptiste was named to head the country's 4,000-member force since, replacing Jean-Nesny Lucien, who resigned, officials said.
Human rights groups have long accused the police under Lucien's authority of human rights violations and criminal activity.
The change in police command comes after an Organization of American States-led delegation last week urged the government take concrete steps to establish security by the March 30 balloting.
The opposition was skeptical about the change in police command.
"It is not a question of who is at the head of the police, but of what kind of system is in place," opposition politician Evans Paul said.
The OAS is working to help Haiti end the political stalemate prompted by May 2000 elections that the opposition said were rigged. The international community has withheld some $500 million because of the impasse.
Last month, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide set up a nine-member electoral council, but civil leaders have refused to name their five delegates until Aristide partisans are disarmed. The opposition also has refused participation until Aristide resigns, which he has refused to do until his term ends in 2006.
03-26-03, 01:57 AM
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