OAS defuses standoff at polling place

by Tim Bridges
LIMA, Peru
A three-car Organization of American States team monitoring Peru's presidential election Sunday made an abrupt detour shortly before noon.

Ollanta Humala, the polarizing former army colonel who has led most polls, was trapped in a classroom where he had voted, along with his wife.

"Assassin! Assassin!" shouted hundreds of opponents blocking his way out of the classroom at Ricardo Palma University.

"Ollanta President! Ollanta President!" chanted dozens of Humala supporters.

It was a potentially explosive situation in a country deeply divided over Humala's candidacy.

Lloyd Axworthy, the former Canadian foreign minister heading the OAS delegation, didn't hesitate to wade through a police cordon to reach Humala and his wife Nadine to try to resolve the situation.

"Do you think this was organized?" Axworthy asked Humala.

"I do, and I'm indignant," Humala said. "Normally, there should be control. This is against the election system. They're spitting at us and insulting us."

Axworthy told Humala that he would accompany him and his wife out under a police escort.

"I'm not a criminal," replied Humala. "I'm going to walk out on my own. I'm a normal citizen. If I can't do that, I'm staying here."

He put his arm around Nadine, protectively.

Axworthy tried again, arguing that the OAS would legitimize his departure. Humala agreed.

A police scrum complete with riot shields formed around Humala, Nadine, Axworthy, several other OAS observers and pushed its way out. People lining the narrow hallway screamed in outrage, opposition and fear as the group edged past.

With bottles and rocks flying through the air, Humala finally made it safely to his sport utility vehicle. He climbed onto the running board, smiled and flashed a victory sign.

As Humala's car slipped away, Axworthy caught his breath.

"I haven't had so much fun since I played fullback for the Sisler Spartans in high school" in Winnipeg, Axworthy said with a smile a couple of minutes later.