21544: (Chamberlain) Brazil seeks mediator role in U.N. Haiti mission (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     By Andrew Hay

     BRASILIA, Brazil, April 22 (Reuters) - Brazil hopes to build a role as
a regional crisis mediator by leading a U.N. peace mission to Haiti to
rebuild the poorest nation in the Americas, diplomats and analysts in
Brazil said.
     President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has sought to champion the
interests of the world's poorest nations since taking office, has offered
Brazil's biggest ever U.N. peacekeeping force for the job.
     Lula has conditioned Brazilian leadership of the mission on
international support to build a democracy in Haiti after two U.S.
interventions within ten years failed to halt a series of coups and
rebellions.
     The U.N. Security Council is this week expected to issue a resolution
on the new mission to Haiti which comes after a February revolt left over
200 dead and forced former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to flee.
     "We don't want it to be a matter of patching things up and then taking
off," said a Brazilian diplomat, who asked not to be named.
     Since entering power 16 months ago, Lula has tried to set up a meeting
between the U.N. and Colombian rebels, ease Venezuela's political problems
and rebuild international ties with Syria and Libya. The former metalworker
has gained a name for leading poor nations against rich nations' trade
barriers.
     Leadership of the U.N. mission to Haiti would showcase Brazil's push
for regional stability as it seeks a permanent seat on the U.N. Security
Council, diplomats said.
     "Brazil is trying to show the big powers, principally the U.S., it is
an actor in international affairs," said Reginaldo Nasser, head of
international relations at Sao Paulo's Catholic University.
     Brazil's offer to provide 1,470 army, navy and airforce troops and
lead the mission has pleased Washington, which faces criticism for its
handling of Haiti's recent uprising, analysts said.
     With its global security commitments, the United States is keen for
regional players to take over from a current U.S.-led force in Haiti by
June 1.
     "This is all good, it shows Brazil is prepared to assume
responsibilities," said another Brazilian diplomat, on condition of
anonymity.
     Lula's defiance of the United States on issues ranging from
immigration controls to nuclear security could also dampen fears among
Caribbean nations the mission will enter Haiti to do the United States'
bidding, analysts said.
     The 15-member bloc of Caribbean Community nations has so far refused
to recognize Haiti's U.S.-backed interim government. Aristide has accused
the United States of forcing him to leave at gunpoint, a claim Washington
denies.