Gunfire erupted outside the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince while Secretary of State Powell was holding meetings there today according to State Department officials. Powell was unharmed and there were no injuries reported among the American delegation in Haiti.

The shooting took place shortly after Powell arrived inside the palace for a meeing with interim Haitian president Boniface Alexander. There were several items on Powell's agenda including support for democracy in Haiti and to commemorate World AIDS Day. AIDS is a very serious problem in Haiti.

According to security officials at the scene, the shots were fired from a passing car. United Nations security forces fired back at the car which drove away apparently unhit. After the incident, several U.N. tanks were set up to patrol the road in front of the palace.

Powell's schedule was unchanged by the incident although the meetings were shifted to safer locations.