19276: (Chamberlain) UN-Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By EDITH M. LEDERER

   UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (AP) -- With Haiti in upheaval, Caribbean nations
urged the U.N. Security Council Thursday to immediately authorize a
multinational force to end the violence and restore law and order.
   But the council -- including key members France and the United States,
which have taken a lead in trying to end the Haitian crisis -- said it
wants a political settlement before deploying an international force.
   Nonetheless, Jamaica's Foreign Minister K.D. Knight, who made the
Caribbean appeal for immediate deployment of an international force, told
The Associated Press he was "quite encouraged that there's a recognition of
the need for such a force."
   The council offered at the end of an open meeting where 32 countries and
groups spoke to urgently consider options for international engagement in
Haiti, including "an international force in support of a political
settlement."
   "I think it's clear that the council wants a political solution,"
France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said. "The council is
prepared to authorize a force which will back a political solution. I think
this is the main message from the council."
   The council statement reiterated its support for efforts by the
15-nation Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM, and the Organization of
American States to achieve a political settlement.
   Their plan calls for Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to remain
president with diminished powers and share the government with his
political rivals. It was accepted by Aristide but has been rejected by his
political opponents.
   Arguing against waiting for a political solution, Knight told the
council that rebel forces that have now created "anarchy" in much of the
country are likely to reach the capital Port-au-Prince, and immediate
action is needed.
   "The situation is one of utmost urgency and the need for decisive action
is paramount," said Knight, whose country heads CARICOM.
   He said the Security Council needed to "authorize the urgent deployment
of a multinational force to assist in the restoration of law and order, to
facilitate a return to stability, and to create an environment in which the
continuing efforts to find a solution to the political crisis can be
pursued."
   Knight said some CARICOM members "have already indicated a willingness
to contribute to the force." He didn't identify them.
   But Security Council members did not change the statement they drafted
during closed consultations Thursday morning to respond to Knight's appeal.
   U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, who spoke after Knight, said that "if a
sustainable political agreement in Haiti is reached, the United States
would support efforts to deploy an international force to support
implementation."