19322: (Chamberlain) US-Haiti (later story) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By GEORGE GEDDA

   WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (AP) -- President Bush on Friday underscored his
administration's suggestion that the embattled president of Haiti should
consider stepping down for his country's good.
   Asked if the United States would like to see President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide leave office, Bush pointed to Secretary of State Colin Powell's
remarks Thursday on the subject, which questioned whether Aristide should
leave.
   "We're interested in achieving a political settlement," Bush said during
an Oval Office photo opportunity with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
He said the United States was engaged in planning with other nations for a
multinational force to help insure stability and deliver aid, once a
political settlement is reached.
   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,"
Powell 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.
   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 whether the assistance
would involve U.S. personnel, logistics or other forms of aid.
   "All the options are there," he said.