Canada hints it may send troops with an international mission in Haiti

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP): Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham, who until last week repeatedly insisted Canada would not send troops into Haiti, gave a strong hint Monday that his government was considering such an option.

In the House of Commons, Graham kept to his official line that Canada and other countries wanted to intervene only with the consensus of the administration of President Jean Bertrand Aristide and the opposition in the Caribbean nation.

Answering a question in Parliament, Graham said: "I have personally spoken to (US Secretary of State Colin) Powell and other leaders in the region.

"We are closely following the situation. We believe a political situation is necessary to permit an (international military) intervention which will succeed in the long-term."

Graham then hinted that Canada -- which he has already said might send about 100 police officers, but no troops -- was considering sending troops.

Asked about that possibility, Graham replied: "We are considering all options ... (but) Canada cannot intervene alone. Canada will work with the United States, with Caricom and La Francophonie (French-speaking nations) for a resolution of this Haitian problem which is the responsibility of the whole international community."

Later, talking to reporters, Graham was repeatedly asked if Canada might send in troops. Repeatedly, he avoided answering the question directly.

"Canada," he said, "is prepared to contribute to the security of Haiti if the conditions exist (between the government and opposition)."

Asked what would happen if a Monday deadline for agreement between the government and opposition in Haiti failed to emerge, Graham replied: "We will examine, with our partners in the region, what to do. Canada cannot act alone."

Meanwhile, Graham said, all non-essential personnel in the Canadian embassy in Port-au-Prince had been removed, although the consular section was still operating to help Canadian citizens still in the country.

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