OAS / UWinnipeg Mission to Peru
April 10, 2006
Winnipeg Free Press
Axworthy Braves Rioters In Peru's Vote
Besieged Presidential Candidate Led To Safety By U Of W President
by Jason Bell and Tyler Bridges
Lloyd Axworthy safely escorted a Peruvian presidential candidate through a crowd of bottle- and rock-throwing rioters to a waiting vehicle yesterday, diffusing a potentially explosive standoff.
The Winnipegger and former Canadian foreign affairs minister now leading the Organization of American States' mission to observe the election, received word that Ollanta Humala, a former army colonel who has led in most polls, was trapped in a classroom in Lima where he and his wife had just voted.
Axworthy, 66, waded through a police line to reach the couple to resolve the standoff at Ricardo Palma University.
Hundred of people stood on balconies hanging above the classroom, chanting "Assassin! Assassin!" while clashing with dozens of supporters screaming "Ollanta President! Ollanta President!"
Axworthy led the couple through the mob and throng of media, protected by police who held clear plastic shields over their heads to protect them from flying rocks and plastic bottles.
Humala and his wife, Nadine, made it safely to their SUV, while Axworthy and his wife, Denise, were also unharmed.
"It's quite a day when you're involved with mobs and riots," Axworthy told the Free Press late yesterday. "It was pretty scary, to be honest. I had safety concerns for all of us.
"I haven't had so much contact since I played football for Sisler (Spartans) in high school."
Axworthy, the president of the University of Winnipeg, is joined on the mission by his wife, four current and former U of W students and geography professor Geoff Scott.
He deflected praise for his effort, calling the experience "a good diplomatic job.
"We ensured the safety of the candidate and kept the voting process going," said Axworthy, who was also present during Peru's presidential election in 2000.
"As Canadians, we do have a capacity and responsibility to help countries like these, using our talents in negotiation and diplomacy."
Humala, who has promised an economic overhaul that would favour Peru's poor majority, was trapped with his wife for more than 50 minutes after casting their ballots.
Axworthy said Humala told him he believed the riot was organized, blaming outgoing President Alejandro Toledo.
"I do, and I'm indignant," Humala is reported to have said. "Normally, there should be control. This is against the election system. They're spitting at us and insulting us."
Flanked by several others from the OAS contingent, Axworthy tried to convince the candidate to leave under a police escort.
Humala flatly refused.
"He did not want to leave with the police, because he didn't want to be viewed as a criminal," Axworthy said.
He reasoned again with Humala, arguing that the OAS would legitimize his departure.
"I offered to escort them out under the auspices of the OAS, and he finally agreed," Axworthy said.
Axworthy said he felt the tension rising and feared if they didn't move quickly, the situation could spin out of control.
"We sized up rather quickly that no one else was taking control of the situation. Emotions were rising. We felt it was our job to step in," he said. "The pathway to his car was like running a gauntlet."
A police scrum complete with riot shields formed around the Humalas, the Axworthys and several other OAS observers, and they pushed their way out. People lining the narrow hallway screamed in outrage, opposition and fear as the group edged past.
Denise Axworthy got pushed to the side and made it out of harm's way, while her husband plowed forward with Humala by his side.
"I was in a coccoon with Humala and his wife... I think people recognized OSA on our jackets, and it wasn't as feverish as it had been," Axworthy said.
Humala has shot into prominence only in the past six months. A political novice, he served in the military for 24 years before being forced out as a lieutenant- colonel in 2004.
"He excited a lot of passion on both sides," Axworthy said. "Clearly, he has an agenda that is seen as challenging to the status quo. He has a strong personality."
Axworthy said the incident does not cloud an otherwise positive experience in Peru.
-- Tyler Bridges, a Miami Herald reporter in Peru covering the election, saw Axworthy's intervention.