A Soldier From the Shadows

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Prosper Avril, a quiet, studious soldier, emerged from the shadows of Haitian politics Sunday to proclaim himself president of the violent, impoverished republic.

When he donned spectacles to announce on national television that he was “persuaded” by the Presidential Guard to head the military government, the 50-year-old Avril might have resembled a college professor were it not for his military uniform.

Avril, a career soldier of humble origin, was born in the town of Thomageau near the capital. Close associates say he is very intelligent and has used the army to manipulate his way to power and riches. Avril, who is married to a nurse, is believed to be a millionaire.

He is said to have no enemies in the army--considered a rare accomplishment.

The adjutant and brigadier general--who promoted himself to lieutenant general on Sunday--has no reputation for cruelty, and those who know him say he has two attributes that are rare in the army: a keen political mind and the ability to listen to others.

Avril graduated from the military academy at the head of his class during the first year of the Duvalier family rule.

Always a survivor, he was a staunch supporter of the Duvalier regime, one of the most oppressive dictatorships in the world until it was toppled in 1986.