23720: (pub) Chamberlain: Rio Group to help Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By ALAN CLENDENNING

   RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 5 (AP) -- Latin American leaders wrapped up a
two-day summit Friday with a pledge to help rid Haiti of political violence
and grinding poverty, dispatching a top Brazilian diplomat to the country
on a mission to form a rescue plan.
   The leaders called for the U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti to increased
to the 8,300 members promised by the United Nations, and Brazil -- which is
leading the force -- promised to send more troops to help raise the number
from the current 5,000 to 5,500.
   "The problem we have now is a totally devastated economy, a society in a
state of total paralysis and extremely fragile political institutions,"
said Marco Aurelio Garcia, the top foreign affairs adviser to Brazilian
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
   Garcia was tasked with making a fact-finding mission to Haiti then
report back to the 19-country Rio Group, which will then work with the
United Nations on a way to tackle Haiti's problems
   At the same time as Garcia's mission, another Brazilian diplomat will be
sent to inform ousted Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide on Latin
America's plans to stabilize the violence-wracked country. But Aristide
will not be invited by the Brazilian diplomat to participate in the process
from abroad, a top aide to one of the South American presidents at the
summit said on condition of anonymity.
   It is "important to maintain an open channel with President Aristide,"
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said.
   Aristide left Haiti amid a bloody revolt in February. During the summer,
the country was ravaged by Tropical Storm Jeanne, which killed at least
2,000 people in Haiti. That was followed by a wave of political violence
that erupted Sept. 30 when Aristide supporters stepped up a campaign to
demand his return from exile in South Africa. At least 80 people have been
killed.
   "In the spirit of solidarity, we commit ourselves as neighbors and
brothers to decisively contribute to the political stabilization and
reconciliation of Haitian society," the Latin American leaders said in a
statement at the end of the 19-nation Rio Group summit.
   The leaders said a commitment lasting years is needed to ensure Haiti
does not descend back into chaos.
   "Latin American countries are widely in agreement that they need to
offer support, but in an ordered, concerted and coordinated manner," said
Mexican President Vicente Fox.
   Brazil has already committed 1,200 soldiers to Haiti, more than any
other nation. Officials attending the Rio Summit said the peacekeeping
force would increase to 5,500 and that Brazil would contribute, but did not
say if it was the only country adding troops.
   Latin American leaders also want the U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti
boosted to the 8,300 members promised by the United Nations.
   Aristide was first ousted in a 1991 army coup, just seven months after
taking office. In 1994, then-President Clinton sent in 20,000 U.S. troops
to restore Aristide to power, halt bloodshed and stem the flow of Haitian
boat people heading for U.S. shores.