Canadian woman kidnapped in Haiti, latest in string of abductions



Canadian woman kidnapped in Haiti, latest in string of abductions

Canadian woman kidnapped in Haiti, latest in string of abductions

Canadian Press

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - A Canadian woman was kidnapped in Haiti's capital, the latest victim in a string of recent abductions, officials said Monday.

The woman, whose identity was not released, was kidnapped Sunday in the volatile Delmas area of the capital, Port-au-Prince, United Nations Civilian Police spokeswoman Heidi Hoffman said.

The CBC reported the woman is a 65-year-old native of Montreal who was running a telephone calling-card company in Haiti. The woman's husband said her kidnappers have demanded a $300,000 US ransom, the CBC reported.

Hoffman said UN authorities were assisting Haiti's National Police in the case.

Canadian Embassy spokeswoman Caroline Desrochers said officials "are working with the family" of the woman but declined to give further details, saying Canada doesn't publicly discuss kidnappings.

A recent surge in kidnappings has compounded difficulties facing Haiti's ill-equipped police force and a 7,400-member UN peacekeeping force struggling to curb violence ahead of key fall elections.

UN officials have said at least 130 people were abducted in Port-au-Prince in April. Statistics for May were not available.

The U.S. State Department last month warned Americans against travelling to Haiti and instructed U.S. personnel whose jobs are not essential to leave - the first such order since the February 2004 rebellion that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

At least 700 people - including 40 police officers - have been killed since September, when Aristide supporters intensified protests to demand his return from exile in South Africa.

Critics accuse the Haitian police of brutality, summary executions and persecution of pro-Aristide loyalists. The interim government says the police are outgunned and outnumbered by politically allied gangsters.
© The Canadian Press 2005

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June 12, 2005: This Week's Top Stories US should take a stand for freedom in Uzbekistan Maureen Orth says: Michael Jackson not sleeping well 12 Jun Marguerite Chandler promotes NJ's historical heritage 10 Jun Dick Haws writes: My life as a substitute teacher 10 Jun Mike Honda in Ethiopia urges peace 10 Jun James Walsh is Chairman of the Friends of Ireland caucus 10 Jun Ohio Governor Bob Taft struggles with scandal 10 Jun NY Times asks RPCVs about "Upside down stamps" 10 Jun Mark Schneider discusses OAS compromise 9 Jun Dodd concerned About Passport Rules 9 Jun Fred O'Regan says no need to hunt whales in 21st century 9 Jun Vic Godfrey enters hall of fame for track and field 8 Jun Al Kamen says Bush spokesmen like to hide information 8 Jun Bobby Shriver: The Power of One 8 Jun Tony Hall outlines US aid package for Africa 8 Jun Phil Hardberger new mayor of San Antonio 8 Jun Karzai visit prompted by friendship with Thomas Gouttierre 7 Jun Christopher R. Hill cautious on Korea talks 7 Jun Ugly Americans in Paul Theroux's latest novel 7 Jun

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June 12, 2005: Special Events Vote in the NPCA Election for new board before June 15 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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June 6, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Kinky Friedman will "sign anything except bad legislation" 6 Jun Niels Marquardt Makes Chimpanzee Protection a Priority 6 Jun Laurence Leamer needs approval for "Today" appearance 6 Jun Desperate Housewives' Ricardo Chavira is son of RPCVs 6 Jun Anthony Sandberg runs Berkeley sailing school 5 Jun Amy Smith field-tests sugarcane charcoal 5 Jun Mary Johnson organizes workshop on genocide 3 Jun Jonathan Lash in 100 most Influential Business Leaders 3 Jun Hastert jump-starts Chris Shays' Campaign 3 Jun John Coyne says 41 RPCVs applied for scholarships 3 Jun James Rupert writes on bombing in Kandahar mosque 1 Jun John McCain says to expand opportunities for service 1 Jun Jay Rockefeller's relationships with Japanese go way back 1 Jun Anat Shenker met her husband during service in Honduras 31 May Ryan Clancy punished without hearing for visiting Iraq 30 May Melissa Mosvick remembered as a fallen American hero 29 May Kurt Carlson played basketball against Togo's national team 29 May Helen Thomas's favorite president remains JFK 24 May

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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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