22192: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Peacekeepers (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By AMY BRACKEN

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 29 (AP) -- Forty-two Brazilian soldiers flew into
Haiti on Saturday, the vanguard of a force to command a new U.N.
peacekeeping mission taking over from the U.S.-led multinational force.
   A ceremonial handover is planned June 1, though the transition will
continue through the month. Some 1,500 U.S. Marines and 400 U.S. soldiers
and sailors are to leave by the end of June.
   The U.S. troops are bringing aid to thousands of people left homeless by
floods and landslides in the last week, but their main mission is disarming
militias after the Feb. 29 resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
   "Our first mission here is providing security and then we will add to
that political, economic and social stability," Lt. Col. Antonio Carlos
Faillace said after arriving Saturday.
   Arriving Tuesday will be Brazilian generals Augusto Heleno, who will
command the U.N. force, and Americo Salvador de Oliveira, who will be in
charge of the Brazilian contingent, Faillace said.
   Brazil's 850 soldiers will provide the core of the U.N.-mandated force
of 6,700 troops and 1,622 police.
   Chile has already committed 650 troops and Argentina plans to send up to
600. Another 10 countries are sending troops and 22 countries are sending
civilian police.
   The U.N. mission is expected to last six months, but Brazilian defense
ministry officials acknowledge troops may need to remain longer.