26851: Hermantin(news)One-time Aristide ally a presidential front runner (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Sat, Dec. 10, 2005
Miami Herald

HAITI
Latin America & Caribbean Briefs


> From Herald Wire Services

PORT-AU-PRINCE - One-time Aristide ally

a presidential frontrunner

A one-time ally of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and a U.S. 
millionaire who has been barred from running have emerged as the top candidates 
in next month's presidential election, according to a poll released on Friday.

Rene Preval, a one time Aristide ally who was Haiti's president from 1995 to 
2000, was backed by 32 percent, according to the poll released Friday by the 
U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Haitian-born U.S. businessman Dumarsais Simeus received 21 percent support in 
the poll conducted by CID/Gallup, an affiliate of the Gallup organization, for 
the U.S. government.

Marc Bazin, the official candidate of Aristide's party -- Lavalas Family -- got 
just 4 percent in the poll.

It was the first political survey in Haiti since a bloody rebellion drove 
Aristide from power in February 2004. Voters will choose from about 35 
candidates for president on Jan. 8.

HAITI

5 SUPREME COURT JUDGES REMOVED

PORT-AU-PRINCE -- Haiti's interim government said Friday it has removed five of 
the 10 judges from the Supreme Court, another move in a tense power struggle 
ahead of next month's national elections.

Michel Brunache, chief of staff for interim President Boniface Alexandre, said 
the government's decision to retire the judges was made long ago. It was signed 
during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday and five new judges have been nominated.