Calm Returns to Port-au-Prince as Rebels Enter City

U.S. Ambassador James B. Foley Sunday called on the rebel movement to fulfill its promise and lay down its arms, mostly vintage M1 and M14 rifles.

Leaders of the civic opposition to Aristide said they had long ago distanced themselves from the armed movement and insisted on a negotiated, peaceful exit for Aristide. They had accused him of turning Haiti into an autocratic fiefdom tainted by drug traffickers and terror perpetrated by pro-government gangs.

Charles Baker, a top leader of that opposition movement, said he was pleased that Aristide had left, but disappointed that the United States had not consulted with the opposition.

"As usual, the international community stepped in and didn't bother to let us know what was going on," Baker said. "There's nothing for us to do but wait."

Baker said opposition leaders supported the arrival of an international peacekeeping force, which he said would head off further violence. He said many private business owners were angry about their businesses being looted and were considering using guns to defend their investments.

Baker said the opposition supported the transfer of power to Alexandre, and he said it had no objection to Lavalas, Aristide's party, participating in the selection of a new government to rebuild the nation's shattered courts, police and other institutions.

"We're trying to build a country, not to do what Aristide did," he said. "We would be happy to include honest people who believed in a man they shouldn't have."

When opposition leaders met with reporters late Sunday afternoon, Andre Apaid Jr., a U.S.-born businessman, said: "We all take the commitment that we will never, never again return to a dictatorship in Haiti. We can and we will build a different Haiti."

Alexandre, whose swearing-in was delayed because a judge could not be brought safely to the prime minister's offices during the morning violence, reluctantly agreed to lead the country as president for what could be weeks. Tall and bespectacled, Alexandre acknowledged that "politics is not my best aspect" and told Haitians to remember "no one has the right to carry out justice himself."

"I must confess this will not be easy for me," said Alexandre, who is in his sixties, his hands shaking as he read a statement written out in longhand. "I do this because the constitution demands it."

Branigin reported from Washington. Staff writers Fred Barbash, Peter Slevin and Bradley Graham in Washington and Colum Lynch in New York contributed to this report.