ARTICLE - ARMED MEN - ANOMALY

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE DESCRIBES AS "ANOMALY" THE PRESENCE OF ARMED MEN
(Haiti Libre) -

Michel Brunache, the Minister of Justice has described as an "anomaly", the fact that men in fatigues are illegally occupying former military bases, and government buildings and circulate through the streets in 4 X 4's heavily armed.

Favoring dialogue, he is nonetheless confident in the ability of the National Police of Haiti to intervene when it will be the right time, and when it will be ready...

According to his statement last week to the press "...on this issue there is one thing that is clear and that there is for now, we only have the National Police of Haiti who has the right to move with weapons and uniforms in the streets. [...] I will repeat it very clearly. President Martelly made ​​a campaign promise to create a new force. The new force will be established according to laws, in discipline, in the respect of for the authority of the State, and in the respect of civil authority [?]"

He added that the occupation of public spaces, and the circulation of armed men in fatigues "is an anomaly and the police, and the justice must use the best strategy to address this anomaly. For now, it's dialogue that is our priority, but I give you the assurance that we are working towards a solution [...]

The Police is led by people who have studied strategy, who measure when they can intervene, or when they can take a little time before intervening. I have confidence in the Police Command, so that when [the officers] will feel prepared, they do what they have to do..."

There remains, however, that despite the calls to order them to lay down their arms and leave the premises, with utimatum and threats; until now, not only has nothing changed, but the presence of these armed men are increasingly visible in the cities across the country...