22476: (Chamberlain) Haiti Peacekeepers (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By ADAM RANEY

   BUENOS AIRES, June 23 (AP) -- South American countries are taking on a
new role as the vanguard of a new U.N. stabilization force in Haiti, and
Pvt. Hernan Veron knows the world will be watching.
   The 21-year-old army radio operator is one of more than 600 Argentine
troops waiting to ship out for Haiti as part of a United Nations
peacekeeping mission that will be dominated by South Americans, a new role
for their militaries.
   "Everybody will be watching to see we do the job right," Veron said
during training in Buenos Aires.
   The Argentines will work with Brazilian troops leading the force in
Haiti. Paraguayans, Chileans and Uruguayans are also expected to take part,
along with a smattering of troops and military police from China, Nepal and
Rwanda.
   Analysts say the large presence is part of South American leaders'
efforts to take larger roles in U.N. and multilateral operations. It's also
a bid to show less dependence on Washington in resolving regional crises,
Argentine political analyst Rosendo Fraga said.
   "These countries (are) assuming responsibility for Latin America without
waiting for solutions that only come from the U.S.," he said.
   The peacekeeping missions also give countries like Argentina and Chile a
chance to boost their militaries' democratic credentials only years after
authoritarian rule.
   "Missions like this one offer these countries an opportunity to give the
military a facelift. It shows that they can cooperate at an international
level," Jennifer Leight of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric
Affairs said.
   Argentina was ruled by a right-wing military junta from 1976 until 1983
and Chile was led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet from September 1972 until 1990.
A military dictatorship ran Brazil from 1964-1985.
   The Brazilians will take formal command on Friday from a U.S.-led
multinational force. Only a few Americans will stay on.
   Veron and his fellow soldiers spent the past weeks at the Campo de Mayo
base northwest of Buenos Aires conducting mock patrols and disarmament
drills. Trying to disarm politically allied factions will be one of its
main challenges.
   The tumultuous Caribbean nation is still on edge nearly four months
after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled as rebels overwhelmed several
cities and threatened to attack the capital. Veron and other Argentines
have studied Haitian Creole and were issued cards with basic phrases.
   The 3,600-strong U.S.-led force is ceding responsibility to a U.N.
force, which is expected to grow to 6,700 peacekeepers and more than 1,000
international police.
   Some Haitians have welcomed the idea of Latin Americans taking over.
They say the South American countries' soccer prowess makes them instantly
popular in a country where the sport is popular.
   "Haitians love Argentines and Brazilians. These are the two teams they
love in Haiti," said one Haitian housewife, Eluie Jules, 43.
   As the Argentine troops prepare to depart, many sounded upbeat. But
First Sgt. Alfredo Martinez Miguel, a former peacekeeper in Croatia, said
he knows how risky such missions can be.
   In Croatia, one fellow soldier was killed and another lost both legs to
a mine explosion under their armored carrier.
   "Our biggest challenge in Haiti will be for us all to make it back in
one piece," the 37-year-old said. He worried that the young soldiers might
lack stamina when the going gets tough.
   "I'll have to make sure that I keep these boys active," he said. "There
will be a lot of soccer-playing to keep us busy when we're not out on
patrol."
   That's fine for Veron, who might be one of the first 100 Argentine
troops to set sail for Haiti later this month. "I'm sure we'll beat the
Brazilian troops in any match," he said.