LABOUR-HAITI: Workers Fight for Rights in Free Trade Zone

When some 300 workers lost their jobs at factories in northeast Haiti last month, the two sides in the struggle pitting a clothing maker against a young union only dug in deeper.

HAITI: Donors Exceed Aid Target, Debt Relief Next Goal, Group Says

Donors have pledged 1.1 billion dollars - 160 million dollars more than requested - in new aid over the next two years to cover yawning gaps in Haiti's budget, begin restoring basic services, and hopefully jumpstart the Americas' poorest country after years of stagnation.

POLITICS: Caribbean Nations Open Door to Haiti

In the end they compromised. And in the words of Keith Mitchell, the host prime minister and chairman of the 15-nation Caribbean Community, the leaders' decision to "re-engage" Haiti underscores the need to make concessions "for the success of the region as a whole."

POLITICS-HAITI: A National Plan Without the People?

Haiti has a new, all-embracing plan aimed at pulling the country out of its economic, social and political rut with new roads and schools, policy changes and millions upon millions of dollars.

POLITICS: Small States Stand Tall on Haiti

Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide has left the Caribbean for South Africa, but the controversy over the way he was spirited out of his beleaguered country remains, and at the centre stands the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the grouping of 15 tiny states that dared to stand up to western powers led by the United States.

ECONOMY-HAITI: International Cash Trickles In

After a slow start, money is starting to trickle into the ministers who recently took over the country classified as the poorest, hungriest, most environmentally degraded, least electrified, sickest, most unemployed and least educated in the Americas.

SOUTH AMERICA: No Consensus on Peacekeeping Troops to Haiti

The countries of the Southern Cone region of South America are sending troops to Haiti to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission there, but without the strong internal support usually enjoyed by such missions of solidarity with nations in conflict.

POLITICS-CANADA: Haiti Fades as Washington’s Shadow Grows

One of the little noticed outcomes of February's ouster of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide appears to be the concept of a Canadian foreign policy that differs from Washington's on major international issues, say critics of Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin.

HAITI: Caribbean States Turn to OAS to Probe Aristide Ouster

No doubt aware of the influence of the United States and France within the United Nations, Caribbean nations are adopting a new strategy in their quest for an independent probe of how Haiti's first-ever democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was ousted from office Feb. 29.

REFUGEES-HAITI: Warm Jamaican Welcome Contrasts With U.S. Blockade

Nearly 500 Haitians fleeing violence and turmoil in their country have made the precarious journey in small, often over-crowded boats across the 160 kms of ocean separating Haiti from Jamaica since a political crisis erupted there in February.

HAITI-U.S.: Expats Explore Independent Way Forward

As the United Nations prepares to assume leadership of peacekeeping forces in Haiti, human rights and immigrant groups in the United States met Saturday to chart a path beyond the Caribbean island's latest political crisis.

HAITI: One Murderer Behind Bars – But for How Long?

When alleged death squad leader and rebel commander Louis Jodel Chamblain handed himself over to authorities this week, the number of gun-toting criminals on Haiti's streets and hillsides dropped by one.

POLITICS-U.N.: U.S., France Blocking Haiti Probe

The United States and France have intimidated Caribbean countries into delaying an official request for a probe into the murky circumstances under which Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted from power in February, according to diplomatic sources here.

POLITICS-HAITI: Disarmament a Dud

"Without disarmament, Haiti's democracy will remain at risk," U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on his recent visit to the battered nation, adding, "we call on all armed groups to lay down their weapons and allow the duly constituted authorities to impose the rule of law".

HAITI-U.S.: Powell to Visit Latest Occupation

Fresh from visiting U.S.-occupied Iraq and Afghanistan, Secretary of State Colin Powell will set down in Port-au-Prince on Monday to check out the Bush administration's latest charge, Haiti, where Washington helped oust the democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, less than two months ago.

HAITI: Caribbean Delays Recognising Government

Its seat was left empty for a two-day summit that ended Friday, but Haiti remained the main point of discussion by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, who insist there can be no lasting solution to the political crisis in the former French colony without their input.

HAITI: U.S. to Ship Guns to Neighbouring Dominican Republic

Washington is poised to start shipping 20,000 M-16 rifles to the Dominican Republic, the nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, where well-armed rebels helped to force President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from power Feb. 29.

HAITI: Everyday Life, Doubts Return

The flies hovering over the stinking, shining green open sewers here do not appear to notice any change. Nor do the naked children, their distended bellies and orange hair sure signs of malnutrition, worms or worse.

HAITI: Jamaica Welcomes Aristide to a Region Divided

"Jamaica is sending a message to the superpowers. From a long time, it's the first time me see Jamaica take a stand, and me love it," says 46-year-old Gloria Simms.

HAITI: Interim Government Excludes Aristide’s Party

The interim Haitian government named Wednesday excludes members of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas Party and represents a "narrow sector of society", according to one group monitoring developments in the country.

HAITI: U.S. Wants Aristide Official Extradited from Canada

A former senior official in the government of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide will remain in legal limbo in Canada at least until next week after a judge adjourned his extradition hearing Tuesday.