The seven Haitian police officers alleged to have participated in a failed coup d?etat against President Rene Preval, will remain ?guests? of the Dominican government for the time being. Haiti?s Foreign Affairs Minister, Fritz Longchamp, flew home from Santo Domingo after failing in his attempt to convince Hugo Tolentino Dipp, his Dominican counterpart, to hand over the seven. Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tolentino Dipp, based his refusal to authorize immediate repatriation on ?respect for the principles of international law and human rights.? Similarly, no decision has been made regarding the fate of the other two police officers who are in residence at the Dominican embassy in Port-au-Prince, and who have requested political asylum. The police officers would ask for asylum in Ecuador if their Dominican petition were ejected. Tolentino Dipp promised a ?harmonious? resolution of the issue, and said that the President of the Republic is mulling over the options.
