Latin American leaders pledge rescue plan for Hait

[Yann]

Latin American leaders pledge rescue plan for Haiti

AP
Saturday, November 06, 2004


RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Latin American leaders wrapped up a two-day summit yesterday with a pledge to rid Haiti of political violence and grinding poverty, dispatching a top Brazilian diplomat to the country on a mission to form a rescue plan.

"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 leaders said in a statement at the end of the 19-nation Rio Group summit.

Marco Aurelio Garcia, the top foreign affairs adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, acknowledged the task would be difficult before leaving on his fact-finding mission to Haiti as the summit came to a close.

"The problem we have now is a totally devastated economy, a society in a state of total paralysis and extremely fragile political institutions," he said.
Garcia will deliver a report to the Rio Group countries, which will then work with the United Nations on the timing and framework to solve Haiti's problems.

Another Brazilian diplomat is expected to be sent soon to brief ousted Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide on Latin America's plans to stabilize the violence-wracked country, the Latin American leaders decided yesterday at the Rio Group's 18th annual meeting.

The overture to the exiled Aristide, who left Haiti amid a bloody revolt in February, is intended to coincide with Garcia's visit to Haiti, said a top aide to one of the South American presidents at the summit.

The briefing for Aristide will inform him about Latin America's plans to help restore order and democracy in Haiti, said the official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because he was disclosing details from a closed-door session of regional presidents.

Aristide will also be told about Latin America's intent to map out strategy to rebuild the country's shattered economy and infrastructure, crucial steps toward overcoming Haiti's crippling poverty.

Aristide will not be invited by the Brazilian diplomat to participate in the process from abroad, the official said.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim did not directly confirm the diplomat's trip to South Africa during a press conference, but was asked who would be sent and answered that he did not know.

He added that it is "important to maintain an open channel with President Aristide."

The aide did not name the Brazilian diplomat who will see Aristide, but said he would depart for South Africa soon.

Haiti emerged as the key theme at the summit, with Latin American leaders saying they plan an unprecedented push to make sure the country never descends into chaos again. A long-term commitment lasting years is needed, they said.

"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.

Latin American leaders also want the UN peacekeeping force on Haiti boosted to the 8,300 members promised by the United Nations. Brazil is leading the force and says it will send more troops in a bid to help raise the number from the current 5,000 to 5,500.

The United Nations said in June that the force required in Haiti following President Jean Bertrand Aristide's ouster would include 6,700 troops and 1,622 civilian police from more than two dozen countries.

Brazil has already committed 1,200 soldiers - more than any other nation. Officials attending the Rio Summit did not divulge more details about the additional troops for Haiti, saying only that the total would rise to 5,500 and Brazil would contribute.

www.jamaicaobserver.com

[Yann]

Brazilian foreign minister defends Rio Group dialogue with Cuba

RIO DE JANEIRO (XINHUA).— Celso Amorim, the Brazilian foreign minister, has defended a greater rapprochement of the Rio Group with Cuba and increased dialogue with the island.

"Cuba must be attracted to a higher level of dialogue within the region. Some people would like to previously define the terms of that dialogue, but we believe that Cuba would prefer to have an integral part in talks," he noted.

According to the foreign minister "that is the objective that Brazil will continue to pursue, although it will do so at the most appropriate time."

In the framework of the Rio Group Summit, Amorim highlighted the growing importance of that bloc and affirmed that the organization "is not here to resolve issues of technical cooperation between one country and another, or to launch programs on this or that."

He added that the Rio Group "was born, and it is necessary to recall that, with the aim of promoting the consolidation of peace in the region."

He went on to observe that the group’s discussions are very graphic in relation to various issues," underlining the responsibility shared by various countries in relation to the difficult situation in Haiti.

"Here in Brazil, we often have the impression that only ourselves (the Brazilians) are involved in the solution of that problem. That is not the case. Brazil commands the Peacekeeping Force, but Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and other countries in the region are with us."

In a tacit acknowledgement that the Haitian situation is the most important issue on the agenda of the presidents meeting in Rio, Amorim noted: "We are all aware that a military presence alone is not enough to resolve the situation. Economic aid from the developed countries will be needed.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/noviembre/vier5/46defiend.html