19312: (Chamberlain) US-Haiti (further quotes) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By GEORGE GEDDA

   WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (AP) -- Suggesting that Haiti has become plagued by
corruption, inefficiency and cronyism, Secretary of State Colin Powell is
questioning whether President Jean-Bertrand Aristide should remain on as
Haiti's leader.
   Powell, who has made no secret of his disregard for Aristide, said
Thursday, "Whether or not he is able to effectively continue as president
is something he will have to examine carefully in the interests of the
Haitian people."
   Powell, speaking to reporters, suggested that Aristide should take into
account Haiti's current reality, a reference to the popular uprising that
has threatened his hold on power.
   "President Aristide has the interests of the Haitian people at heart,"
he said. "I hope he will just examine the situation he is in and make a
careful examination of how best to serve the Haitian people at this time."
   Powell said the United States spent a lot of money attempting to build
democratic institutions in Haiti after U.S. military forces reinstated
Aristide in 1994 from a military regime that had deposed him.
   "But unfortunately, it didn't stay together," Powell said. "Corruption
came into play, inefficiency came into play, cronyism came into play and
the whole political tapestry of the country came apart."
   Aristide had no direct role in governing Haiti after his first term --
interrupted by three years of military rule -- ended in 1996. He was out of
office for five years and was re-elected in 2001. He says he is determined
to complete the remaining two years of his term.
   As Powell spoke, armed Haitian rebels who have seized control of much of
the country said they were closing in on Port-au-Prince, the capital.
   It was unclear what prompted Powell's comments. Aristide has supported a
U.S.-backed plan for a political settlement while opposition leaders turned
down the proposal.
   Powell has said previously he does not support the forced departure of
Aristide. The United States, along with European and Latin American
countries, has been supporting a plan crafted by Caribbean nations under
which an independent prime minister would head a broad-based government.
Aristide would remain as head of state, albeit with diluted authority.
   Powell has stressed the importance of a constitutional way out of the
crisis. Next-in-line if Aristide steps down is the chief justice of Haiti's
Supreme Court.
   Powell told the Senate Budget Committee at a hearing Thursday that the
United States would be willing to join an international security force to
back a political settlement in the Caribbean nation, if one is reached.
   He also said force in Haiti could be "police or military." Until now,
the Bush administration has spoken only of a police presence.
   Powell later said that no decision has been made as to whether the
assistance would involve U.S. personnel, logistics or other forms of aid.
   "All the options are there," he said.