On April 9, Jose Bayardi, the Uruguayan defence minister, told a press conference that Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Brazil were considering withdrawing from the United Nations Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti, the multinational force backing the US-installed government of America’s poorest country. At the moment, Latin American countries make up the bulk of UNMSH forces, with Brazil providing 1200 troops, Uruguay, 784; Argentina, 556 and Chile, 576. Bayardi said that military was not a solution for Haiti, and that there would be no advances without reconstruction. He argued that troop withdrawal would speed up the arrival of much-needed aid. The decision by “left-wing” Latin American governments to support the mission has been controversial on the continent, since the elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was kidnapped and exiled by US marines in 2004. Chile has since confirmed its troops will stay.

From Green Left Weekly, April 20, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page