ARTICLE - BRAZIL - WITHDRAWAL OF FORCES?

NEW BRAZILIAN DEFENCE MINISTER WEIGHS WITHDRAWAL OF PEACEKEEPERS FROM HAITI
(Defend Haiti) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE - The new Brazilian Minister of Defense, Celso Amorim, is considering a withdrawal of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Amorim, the former Foreign Minister made two visits to Haiti and believes that the Brazilian mission comes to an end with the strengthening of democracy and economic growth.

Former Defense Minister Nelson Jobim resigned after criticizing the government to reporters. Defense Minister Amorim took office last Monday.

The new Minister justified his decision with the slowdown of the Brazilian economy. "Internationally, it is time for a withdrawal because of military and economic terms.... growth in Brazil is running out of steam," he insisted.

In addition, Amorim drew attention to the improving security climate in Haiti. "Even if the country is far from a haven of peace, it now has a president with the prospect of institutions finding a normalcy," he said.

The many accusations in the media against the peacekeepers, accused of spreading cholera in Haiti, are also likely to cause a decline in confidence in the UN mission. A departure of Brazilians who have provided the largest contingent of the mission (who arrived in Haiti in 2004).