U.S. Troubled by Haitian Murder

WASHINGTON (AP) - With Haiti's fledgling democracy at a turning point, the State Department said Monday it is deeply troubled by the killing of prominent Haitian radio journalist Jean Leopold Dominique. "We urge the government of Haiti to ensure a thorough and prompt investigation," spokesman James P. Rubin said. Dominique, a strong advocate of a free press in Haiti, reportedly was shot dead by two gunmen as he arrived for work Monday at Radio Haiti Inter. The assailants also killed a station worker. The attack underscored the sense of insecurity in Haiti as officials try to organize elections and install a new parliament.

"There have been a number of reported threats against opposition candidates," Rubin said, and a number of other disturbing events have not been explained fully. "From our standpoint, we believe that credible elections can be held in April and May, in time to convene the new parliament by the second Monday of June, consistent with Haitian constitutional law," he said. Significant further delays, he said, would undermine the credibility of the electoral process and risk the momentum toward an early election. "Failure to constitute promptly a legitimate parliament will risk isolating Haiti from the community of democracies and jeopardize future cooperation and assistance," Rubin said. He said it would be a "great tragedy" if Haitians were to squander the opportunity to establish democracy after a U.S.-led intervention in 1994 that ousted a military regime.