18843: (Chamberlain) US-Aristide (later story) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By ROBERT BURNS

   WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (AP) -- The Bush administration said Thursday it
would send a military team to Haiti to assess the security of the U.S.
Embassy there, but stressed that it is still looking for a political
solution to the bloody uprising against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
   Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States and other
countries will offer a proposal to Aristide and opposition leaders for
ending the political crisis in that county.
   "I think if they will both accept this plan and start executing on it,
we might find a way through this crisis politically," Powell said in an
interview with ABC Radio's "Live in America" program.
   The Pentagon announcement that a small number of military personnel was
being sent to Haiti came as Aristide declared he was "ready to give my
life" to defend Haiti, indicating he was not prepared to give up power.
   Powell said there is a "solid consensus" on the Haitian issue among the
United States, the Organization of American States, the United Nations,
France and Canada. He said the international community must do what it can
to help Aristide in his capacity as Haiti's elected leader.
   Earlier this week, Powell said the United States was reluctant to send
military personnel to Haiti to help resolve the bloody uprising. At the
Pentagon, spokesman Lawrence DiRita told reporters that U.S. Ambassador
James Foley had requested the military team.
   The military team is expected to consist of three or four experts from
U.S. Southern Command, the military command with authority over the
Caribbean, Pentagon spokesman Di Rita told reporters at a press conference.
DiRita said the team will assess threats to the U.S. Embassy and its
personnel.
   Senior military and Bush administration officials have said there is no
plans to resolve the rebellion in Haiti through the use of military force.
   "There remains a lot of interest in resolving this matter politically,"
Di Rita said.
   Powell gave no details of the plan except to say that it does not
contemplate Aristide's stepping down before his term ends in Feb. 2006.
   But he said the United States would not object if, as part of a
negotiation with opposition leaders, Aristide agreed to leave ahead of
schedule.
   "He is the president for some time to come yet. You know, if an
agreement is reached that moves that in another direction, that's fine,"
Powell said.
   He reaffirmed that the United States is opposed to any solution that
violates democratic or constitutional norms.
   The United States helped Aristide claim his place as president a decade
ago. But American officials have become disillusioned with his rule and are
debating internally what to do about it.
   Publicly, the United States resists the notion of forcibly removing
Aristide. Privately, the Bush administration is exploring options for
helping foster a peaceful switch of leaders in Haiti without undercutting
democratic rule.
   Aristide upped the ante Wednesday by turning aside one U.S. suggestion:
early elections that could appease his political opponents. He wants to
serve until his five-year term expires in February 2006.
   The United States has not clearly said it will refuse to recognize a
successor to Aristide who takes over through coup or ouster, experts point
out. Days ago, Powell had said that a change in leadership in Haiti was not
an option. He also said earlier that the United States was not inclined to
intervene to help Aristide maintain a grip on power.