21740: (Chamberlain) OAS-Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   WASHINGTON, May 6 (AP) -- Haiti's interim prime minister appealed for
help Thursday from Caribbean leaders who have withheld support of his
U.S.-backed government.
   Addressing members of the Organization of American States, Gerard
Latortue urged countries to put aside differences to help bring stability
and progress to the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.
   The 15-nation Caribbean Community has cited concerns about President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide's claim that U.S. agents forced him from power --
accusations that the Bush administration has denied. The regional bloc,
often known as Caricom, plans to reconsider the issue in July.
   "Haiti is a member of Caricom and proposes to continue being a member,"
Latortue said. "In this key moment of its history, my country needs all of
you. May the misunderstandings be left behind."
   He spoke during a public portion of the session. He also met privately
with ambassadors from OAS member countries.
   Mexican Ambassador Miguel Ruiz Cabanas, who holds the rotating
presidency of the OAS Permanent Council, said the group was preparing a
special mission to help bring stability to Haiti. He did not disclose
details.
   The U.N. Security Council has authorized a force of 8,000 peacekeepers
and police for a wide-ranging mission that begins on June 1. Their initial
deployment will be six months.
   In Brazil, the government asked the legislature to approve sending 1,200
troops to Haiti as part of a new U.N. force. The request was published
Thursday in the government daily Diario Oficial de la Union.
   Latortue said he understood Brazil would play a prominent role in the
force and that a chief responsibility will be trying to disarm militant
factions.
   The U.N. force is to replace the 3,600-member contingent of troops from
the United States, Canada, Chile and France. The U.S.-led force has been in
place since Aristide's ouster on Feb. 29.