20490: (Chamberlain) New cabinet for Haiti, no Aristide allies included (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Ibon Villelabeitia and Joseph Guyler Delva

     PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 16 (Reuters) - Haiti's new prime minister chose
a Cabinet on Tuesday that did not include any allies of ousted President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide which is likely to prolong tensions in the
revolt-torn country.
     "The government has been selected this afternoon," an aide to Prime
Minister Gerard Latortue told Reuters. He said it would be sworn in on
Wednesday at the National Palace.
     Not one of the 13 ministries was handed to members of Aristide's
Lavalas Family party, a move likely to fire up anger among his supporters,
already galvanized by his proximity 115 miles (185 km) away in Jamaica.
     Moderate Lavalas members, who remained behind after a month-long
rebellion and U.S. pressure drove Aristide into exile on Feb. 29, had
warned that national reconciliation would be impossible unless they, and
the poor majority they represent, were given a voice.
     But Latortue said no political parties were represented in the lineup,
and that Lavalas had not presented any candidates.
     "Had there been an organization that sponsored a Lavalas member, I
would have been happy. But there weren't any," Latortue told Reuters.