27122: (news) Chamberlain: Brazil-Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

   SAO PAULO, Brazil, Jan 7 (AP) -- The Brazilian general commanding the
U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti was found dead Saturday in the Haitian
capital, according to the Brazilian army.
   Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar died Saturday morning after a
"firearm accident" in Port-au-Prince, Brazilian army Lt. Col. Fernando da
Cunha Matos told the official Agencia Brasil news agency.
   The Brazilian Army confirmed Bacellar's death with a brief statement on
its Web site but did not elaborate on the circumstances. It said U.N.
officials in Haiti had launched an investigation.
   A body on a second-floor balcony of the hotel used by Bacellar was
visible to reporters from a hotel restaurant verandah.
   The general assumed control over the 7,600-strong U.N. force in Haiti in
late August. He replaced another Brazilian, Lt. Gen. Augusto Heleno
Ribeiro, who had led U.N. troops since they were deployed to Haiti in June
2004 to restore stability after a bloody revolt toppled President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
   The peacekeeping force comprises 6,200 troops and 1,400 civilian police
officers from over 40 countries.