LATIN AMERICA: Haiti troops may withdraw

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.

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From GLW issue 623