ARTICLE - THREAT OF VIOLENCE

HAITI RECOUNT FAILS TO CALM THREAT OF VIOLENCE

Canadian ambassador meeting with Haitian president: reports

Haitians prepared for further violence even after the country's electoral council promised to order a recount of ballots over disputed presidential election results.

By Friday morning, a post-earthquake camp in Port-au-Prince was half deserted following gunfire near the area the previous night, CBC's Connie Watson reported.

Further armed clashes and more days of flaming barricades were expected.

The U.S. also reissued a travel advisory warning against non-essential trips to Haiti, citing high crime, the risk of cholera and social unrest.

Meanwhile, local radio reports said the Canadian ambassador to Haiti has met with President René Préval to try to persuade him to take measures to restore order in the country.

On Thursday, a CBC news crew witnessed the fatal daylight shooting of a demonstrator in Port-au-Prince as protesters continued to voice discontent in the streets during clashes between rival supporters.

The gunman, who appeared to be backing the ruling party candidate, Jude Célestin, was shown grabbing and shooting a man in a red shirt.

Several other deaths were reported in the capital.

'Would you report theft to a thief?'

Although the review of votes promised by the country's electoral council would allow the three leading candidates to attend, it was not likely to quell anger, Watson reported.

"People don't believe anything the commission said after the results they gave," she said, noting the electoral council had been voted in by the ruling government.

Many protesters have already dismissed the commission as not credible.

Representatives of the third-place candidate, Michel Martelly, were questioning the recount, asking, "Would you report theft to a thief?" They called for the government-appointed electoral commission to resign before the recount proceeds.

Canada closed its embassy because of post-electoral violence, and flights were cancelled in and out of Port-au-Prince's international airport.

Every candidate in the Nov. 28 election alleged voter fraud and intimidation, and fewer than a quarter of eligible voters were said to have been able to vote legitimately.