Military

DATE=03/01/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=FRANCE/HAITI

NUMBER=2-313673

BYLINE=LISA BRYANT

DATELINE=PARIS

CONTENT=

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INTRO: French troops are in Haiti to supplement U-S Marines in the island's capital of Port-au-Prince, and to lay the groundwork for a multi-national force. From Paris, Lisa Bryant has more on the French mission.

TEXT: A Defense Ministry spokesman in Paris confirmed that the first 50 troops had arrived in Haiti, out of a total of 300 expected in the coming days. More U-S troops are also expected to re-inforce the 100 Marines already on the impoverished Caribbean island, where violence and looting continue despite the departure of Haiti's former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Brazil and Canada have also made initial troop commitments, following U-N approval for an international stabilization force for Haiti.

In a statement issued from Tokyo, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said France was ready to offer humanitarian and technical assistance to Haiti, a former French colony.

The French Foreign Minister also called for international organizations like the World Bank and the European Union to help the country build a sustainable future. He said he would visit Haiti, just as soon as a national unity government is established - an initiative supported by the Caribbean Community of Nations and the Organization of American States.

Last week, French officials met with members of Mr. Aristide's government in Paris, in an effort to find a solution to the crisis. An effort to meet separately with Haitian rebels failed, in part because the rebels were not able to find a flight out of Haiti amid the mounting chaos. (SIGNED)

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