Haitian gunman attack U.N. base

Saturday 30th July, 2005 Haitian gunman attack U.N. base Big News Network.com Friday 29th July, 2005 (UPI) Haitian gunmen attempted to raid Friday a U.N. soldier base in the capital, but were thwarted by troops, a U.N. mission spokesman said. The gunman attacked the base in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Port-au-Prince in a pre-dawn raid. It marked the first time since the U.N. peacekeeping mission began in May 2004 that armed gangs have been so brazen as to attack a U.N. post. The 7,600 soldiers and police officers in the international force -- led by Brazilian troops -- have experienced difficulties bringing stability and security to the troubled Caribbean nation. Violence broke out in Haiti early last year when armed gunmen began taking over the country calling for the resignation of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who left the country in February 2004.