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DATE=8/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - HAITI (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253158
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United States is preparing to withdraw its 
last contingent of  full-time troops from Haiti in the 
coming months, and replace them with rotating units 
made up of mostly military reservists.   The move 
comes amid increasing Congressional pressure on the 
Clinton administration to reduce U.S. military 
commitments around the world.  Correspondent Deborah 
Tate reports from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, 
where President Clinton is vacationing.  
Text:  There are about 450 U.S. troops left in Haiti - 
down from a total of 20-thousand that have served 
there since September 1994 to help restore the elected 
government of President Jean Bertrand Aristide.
U.S. officials say the troops could be withdrawn as 
early as the end of this year, although White House 
spokesman Joe Lockhart says a timetable has yet to be 
worked out.
Mr. Lockhart says rotating units will replace the 
permanent force.
            // Lockhart Actuality //
      The United States remains committed to the 
      policy of helping to promote democracy there.  
      Our presence there will not be withdrawn.  As we 
      have said for some time now, we want to move 
      away from the current configuration of a 
      permanent deployment and more to a rotational 
      and more project-specific configuration.
            // End Act //
The rotating units would work on such projects as 
digging wells and building roads.
Although tensions remain high in Haiti in the run-up 
to elections later this year, U.S. officials say there 
is enough stability there that a permanent 
peacekeeping force is no longer warranted.
The decision to replace the permanent force in Haiti 
comes as some in the Republican-led Congress are 
expressing concern that a growing number of U.S. 
peacekeeping missions around the world are straining 
military resources and hampering readiness.
The House of Representatives has voted to order U.S. 
troops in Haiti home by the end of the year.  The 
Senate has yet to act on the measure.  (Signed)
NEB/DAT/TVM/PT
26-Aug-1999 15:28 PM LOC (26-Aug-1999 1928 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.