UNITED NATIONS (AP):THE UNITED Nations Security Council rejected an appeal from Caribbean nations to authorise the immediate deployment of a multinational force to end the uprising in Haiti, insisting it first wants a political settlement.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) warned that time was running out, with rebels reported to be advancing on the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the political opposition refusing to sign a peace agreement unless President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns.
But the council and its key members taking the lead in trying to resolve the Haiti crisis the United States and France said they believe a political solution is essential.
"The solution should be a political one supported by a multinational civilian force," said France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere.
MUCH MORE DIFFICULT
"If we reverse the sequence, it will be much more difficult to find a political solution."
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte agreed.
"If a sustainable political agreement in Haiti is reached, the United States would support efforts to deploy an international force to support implementation," he said.
Nonetheless, even though the Security Council did not support the immediate deployment of a multinational force, Jamaica's K.D. Knight, who had made the case on behalf
of CARICOM, told The Associated Press that he was "quite encouraged that there's a recognition of the need for such a force.
"We are still of the view that a political settlement is not likely to result in an atmosphere of hostility" and some council members seemed to agree on "the need for an international force now," he said.
"So a process has begun, and we want to ensure that from our end the process is completed as soon as possible so a force can come into being."
The council held an open meeting on Thursday afternoon at the request of the 15-nation CARICOM to consider political and military options.
After speeches by 32 countries and groups, the council said in a statement that it would urgently consider options for international engagement in Haiti, including "an international force in support of a political settlement."
Council members reiterated their support for efforts by CARICOM and the Organisa-tion of American States (OAS) to achieve a political settlement. The CARICOM-OAS plan calls for Aristide to remain president with diminished powers and to sharing the government with political rivals which Aristide accepted but his political opponents rejected.
Some U.N. diplomats believe the prospects for a political agreement could be improved if Aristide were to leave office, but he told CNN on Thursday he would not resign.
France has blamed Aristide for the current crisis and made clear it would like him to step down. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday also openly questioned whether Aristide can continue, the closest he has come to suggesting that Aristide bow out before his term ends in February 2006.
Arguing against waiting for a political solution, Jamaica's Foreign Minister K.D. Knight told the council: "The situation is one of utmost urgency and the need for decisive action is paramount."
Knight, whose country heads CARICOM, said the Security Council needed to "authorise the urgent deployment of a multinational force to assist in the restoration of law and order, to facilitate a return to stability, and to create an environment in which the continuing efforts to find a solution to the political crisis can be pursued."
REFUSING TO RESPOND
Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell of the Bahamas was more blunt, suggesting that the council was refusing to respond to Haiti's call for help and dispensing with its commitment to democracy because it may consider "one politician better suited than another.
"Whatever the motives, if the international community refuses to act and to act quickly, we will be condoning a creeping attempt to overthrow the government of Haiti by force," he said.
