Canadian Peacekeeper killed in Haiti
CBC News Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:47:53 EST

A former Mounties from Quebec has died after being shot during an ambush while on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

a. INDEPTH: Haiti

Mark Bourque, 57, of Stoneham, Que., was one of 25 retired police officers that Canada sent in October to join the UN mission trying to stabilize Haiti before an election.

A UN spokesperson said Bourque and another peacekeeper were patrolling in a Port-au-Prince slum on Tuesday morning when two unknown men opened fire on their vehicle.

Damien Anses Cardona of the United Nations Stabilization Mission said Bourque was shot in the leg and lost a lot of blood, later dying in hospital.

The other policeman escaped injury, Cardona said.

Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the victim's family.

"Mr. Bourque was in Haiti as part of Canada's efforts to promote good governance and democracy, and his work there exemplified to the world the finest of Canada's values," Martin said in a statement.

"Canada condemns this senseless act of violence. We are profoundly saddened by the loss of a fellow Canadian who served his country with distinction both at home and abroad."

RCMP in Montreal told CBC News that Bourque retired two years ago after 35 years on the force.

The United Nations is investigating his death.

Several UN peacekeepers have been killed since the UN mission in Haiti began in 2004, after the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The UN force consists of about 1,600 members from 33 countries, including about 25 retired and 100 serving police officers from Canada.

The peacekeeping force is commanded by RCMP Chief Supt. Graham Muir.

Haiti's presidential and legislative election was initially scheduled for mid-November, but it has been repeatedly postponed due to street violence and other problems.

It's now scheduled to take place early in 2006.

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