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27161: Hermantin(News)U.N. peacekeeper found dead (fwd)




From: leonie hermantin

Posted on Sun, Jan. 08, 2006


HAITI
U.N. peacekeeper found dead
Brazilian Army Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira Da Matta Bacellar was found dead in his room at a luxury hotel early Saturday. Officials are investigating a possible suicide.
BY REED LINDSAY
jmozingo@MiamiHerald.com

PORT-AU-PRINCE - AND JOE MOZINGO

The Commander of U.N. peacekeeping forces here was found shot to death in his apartment at a luxury hillside hotel early Saturday morning in what Haitian police say was likely a suicide.

Brazilian Army Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira Da Matta Bacellar, 58, was discovered shortly after 6:30 a.m. with a gun in his hand and a single gunshot wound through the mouth, said a law enforcement official, who asked to withhold his name because he was not authorized to speak about the incident.

An owner or manager at the Hotel Montana reportedly heard the shot and quickly notified other U.N. military leaders staying at the hotel, who then discovered the body, the official said.

`FIREARMS ACCIDENT'

U.N. officials released few details about the incident and would not confirm that the death was a suicide. The Brazilian Army called it a ''firearms accident'' according to a Brazilian news agency.

It is too early to tell whether Bacellar's death will have a significant impact on the U.N. mission here or the upcoming elections, but a U.N. spokesman said the incident would not weaken the international effort to have Haiti join ``the democratic community of nations.''

The radio waves were filled with news of Bacellar's death Saturday, but given many stations' penchant for broadcasting wild rumors and Haiti's murderous political history, there was surprisingly little speculation of foul play.

The crime scene at the Hotel Montana in the suburb of Pétionville was guarded by U.N. military Saturday morning. A journalist who managed to get past the cordon said Bacellar's slumped body was dressed in boxers and a white undershirt, with one side of his face covered in blood.

``There is nothing suspicious for now,`` said Haitian Police Chief Mario Andresol, who is helping lead a joint investigation with U.N. police officers. ``He had his weapon in his hand.''

Bacellar had served in Brazil's armed forces for 39 years, according to the U.N. peacekeeping mission. He replaced Brazilian Lt. Gen. Augusto Heleno Ribeiro in September as commander of the forces that arrived in June of 2004 to provide stability following the rebellion that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Bacellar is survived by his wife and two children.

''I was very surprised. Shocked,'' said Brazilian Ambassador to Haiti Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, who was a close friend of Bacellar. ``He was a man full of happiness, with great religious faith, and a man who loved his family because he spoke a lot of his children and his wife.

''The general had a level of tension that was normal for somebody with his degree of responsibility, which is why I was so surprised,'' he added.

VIOLENCE NOT WANING

Bacellar's death comes at a time the 8,000-member U.N. peacekeeping mission, known here by its French acronym MINUSTAH, is under extreme pressure to tamp down on spiraling violence before the upcoming national elections.

The country's largest business association has called for a general strike this week to protest MINUSTAH's inability to reign in a wave of kidnappings and gang warfare in the capital. Many leading political candidates have expressed support of the strike.

On Thursday, U.N. peacekeepers had announced a series of ''military actions'' to control the situation.

Andresol has said much of the violence is political, aimed at derailing the elections, which were to be held today, but have been postponed for the fourth time. The Provisional Electoral Council is yet to announce a new date.

On Friday, the U.N. Security Council and the Organization of American States called on Haiti's transitional government to hold the first round of balloting by Feb. 7.

Following Bacellar's death on Saturday, the United Nations named the Deputy Force Commander, Chilean Gen. Eduardo Aldunate Herman, to lead the 7,269 U.N. soldiers in Haiti.

The troops come from 20 nations, with the largest contingents provided by Jordan and Brazil.

TAKEN ABACK

MINUSTAH officials were reeling at news of Bacellar's demise.

''His unexpected death leaves us all bereft,'' said MINUSTAH spokesman Damien Onsés Cardona in a statement. ``His untimely death and sacrifice in the cause of peace will not weaken the resolve of MINUSTAH and the international community to ensure the will of the Haitian people prevails and Haiti joins the democratic community of nations.''

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Brazilian troops will remain in Haiti despite the death.

Secretary General Kofi Annan was ''shocked and saddened'' by the news, according to a U.N. statement.

Six peacekeepers were killed in Haiti in 2005. Only Congo was more dangerous last year for U.N. troops, with 13 dead.






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