The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH),
working with Haitian police, has arrested 15 alleged gangsters
during a week-long operation in Citede Soleil, a slum in the
Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, UN forces said Friday.
Some of the detainees are considered kingpins in the Evans Gang
kidnap ring. The UN said it would consider seeking more
gangsters.
The improved security has allowed the reopening of the St Thomas
of Boston school, which had been used by gang members. The UN
soldiers, known as blue helmets, helped to restore the buildings to
provide education for poor children living in Cite de Soleil.
In February, the MINUSTAH forces arrested 142 in military
operations targeting armed gangs responsible for kidnappings and
violence in Port-au-Prince.
MINUSTAH was set up in 2004 to help re-establish peace in Haiti,
and its mandate expires on October 15.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2007)
