Alexandre Rocha
São Paulo – Foreign Relations minister Celso Amorim confirmed yesterday (09) that it is possible that Brazil will lead the peace force in the process for reestablishment of political stability in Haiti after the fall of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. According to Amorim, he, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Defence minister José Viegas were approached by authorities in countries such as the United States and France, who made requests in that sense.
"The requests were for Brazil to play a leadership role. These words were used by the speakers, not by us," stated Amorim. According to him, the country would only act after a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution for the creation of a peace force, with a "clear mandate." For the time being, he added, all that has been approved was a resolution allowing an international emergency force to operate in Haiti.
Amorim pointed out, though, that there has not been a formal invitation for Brazil to take on this leadership position, as the second resolution has not yet been approved. "But the countries hope that Brazil will take on this leadership position in the second phase," he ended.
The minister made these comments after participating in a ceremony for singing of the agreements that confirm the 11th ministerial meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) in São Paulo, Brazil.
