Haitians fear that bloody uprising may not be over

BEFORE a raging fire, rebel fighters in this bleak western town offered metal scraps to a voodoo war god, portending still more violence for Haiti.

Although rebel leader Guy Philippe has pledged his fighters will disarm, many insist they will not give up their weapons until militant supporters of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide do the same.

Rebels who choose not to show their weapons in public openly admit they have stashed them. At a street corner where an offering of metal and herbs burned for Ogun Feray, the war god, reminders abound that Haiti's bloody uprising might not be over.

"In terms of where the guns are and who we will surrender them to, that's a secret," said local rebel commander Winter Etienne, 40. "When you lay down your arms you always want to have them someplace where you can pick them up again."

The challenge of disarmament is just one of many stumbling blocks facing the impoverished Caribbean nation, where an armed rebellion that began February 5 has killed at least 130 people and forced Aristide to flee the country.

On Saturday in Port-au-Prince, a recently appointed council met to choose a new prime minister. Officials said they hoped to have a decision by Tuesday. Opposition leaders have been pressing for the replacement of Yvon Neptune, who stayed in his post even after Aristide fled the country.

Leslie Voltaire, a minister in Aristide's government and a member of the tripartite commission that chose the council, said he was satisfied with the group's neutrality and independence.

"They will meet today, they will meet Sunday, and by Monday we will have a new prime minister," Mr Voltaire said.

US Marines patrolling the capital withdrew some of their guards from around the presidential National Palace and the prime minister's office Saturday after it became clear the overwhelming show of force had become a sore point with Haitians.

"We've just basically pulled them back, trying to provide less of a military presence in the areas and allow people to get back to their daily lives without us hanging over them," said Staff Sgt Timothy Edwards.

In the tiny town of Mont Rouis, a French combat helicopter landed Saturday, drawing a large crowd of curious onlookers and indicating that peacekeepers might be increasing patrols of the countryside. Soldiers wouldn't say what they were doing there, however.

About 60 Canadian soldiers also arrived Saturday, adding to the nearly 2,000 foreign troops.

Until a new government and electoral commission is formed and their pro-Aristide enemies forcibly disarmed the rebels have no plans to surrender their weapons. "I plan to die with my pistol on my chest," said Wilfort Ferdinand, 27.