20954: Esser: U.S. Worried as Caribbean Nations Defer on Haiti Leaders (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

The New York Times
http://nytimes.com

March 30, 2004

U.S. Worried as Caribbean Nations Defer on Haiti Leaders
By CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS

WASHINGTON, March 29 — The Bush administration, still seeking more
foreign troops to help stabilize Haiti, voiced concern on Monday over
a refusal by Caribbean leaders to recognize that country's
American-backed interim government.

At a summit meeting last week in St. Kitts, leaders of the 15-nation
Caribbean Community, or Caricom, withstood American pressure to
embrace the new Haitian government led by Prime Minister Gérard
Latortue and deferred a decision until July on whether to formally
accept its legitimacy.

At the same time, the Caribbean leaders, who act by consensus, called
for a United Nations investigation into the circumstances that led to
the American-assisted exile last month of President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide. Mr. Aristide, who is currently in Jamaica as a guest of the
government, insists that his departure was coerced by American forces.

The skepticism of the Caribbean nations toward United States actions
in Haiti is the latest obstacle for American policy makers seeking to
quell political violence in the country and return it to a sense of
normality. A crucial part of that effort has been the deployment of
American and other foreign forces, who have made significant progress
in pacifying Haiti's two largest cities, Port-au-Prince and Cap
Haitien, officials said.

But the administration wants more foreign contributions, both to
reinforce the interim multinational force, whose mandate expires in
two months, and then to provide peacekeepers and police trainers over
the longer term.

There are 1,940 American troops in Haiti, as well as 825 French
troops, 435 Canadians and nearly 330 Chileans, according to the
Pentagon. Administration officials have said they expect to cap the
American presence at about 2,000 soldiers, and would welcome 2,000 or
3,000 troops from other countries.

The administration still hopes to pull out its troops within 60 days
and see them replaced by peacekeepers as outlined by the United
Nations. But that goal may be difficult. So far, only Brazil has
committed itself to providing security forces for the second phase.

Richard A. Boucher, the State Department spokesman, said Monday that
the administration would continue to press for Caribbean nations to
help the interim government establish security and lay the groundwork
for elections. "We would prefer that they be more involved, as they
have said they want to do," he said.

Asked whether the administration would cooperate with a United
Nations inquiry into Mr. Aristide's departure, Mr. Boucher replied:
"That's hypothetical at this point. We just don't think it's
necessary."

He was nonetheless upbeat about overall conditions in Haiti. "The
government seems to be getting up and running," he said. "Food
deliveries have resumed around the country."

Still, many problems persist. Armed resistance to American forces
continues, although it is largely limited to an occasional exchange
of gunfire or running a roadblock. The rebel forces, who took up arms
against President Aristide, have largely faded from sight, though
they have retained their weapons and could resurface.

Mr. Latortue struck a discordant note with American policy makers
last week when he lauded the rebels as "freedom fighters" during a
visit to his hometown of Gonaïves. Among those basking in the praise
were Guy Philippe, a former police chief accused of plotting to
overthrow Mr. Aristide, and Louis-Jodel Chamblain, convicted in
absentia of murdering a Haitian businessman.

Aid is gradually flowing into Haiti, after the lifting of a freeze
imposed by international lenders following disputed elections in
2000. Haiti cleared its arrears last year, paving the way for further
lending.
.