memphiz
07-06-2004, 06:03 PM
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada is changing the nature of its commitment to Haiti, giving Canadian Forces a break and sending 100 police officers to help with security and training.
The officers, mostly from the RCMP, will be there for two years. They'll be sent in three phases of about 30 officers over the next three months.
Prime Minister Paul Martin made the announcement after Tuesday's final meeting of his pre-election cabinet, citing a "hemispheric and moral responsibility" to the troubled Caribbean nation.
Foreign Minister Bill Graham said Canada was sending police instead of soldiers this time, "because it's believed this is what's required for security at this time."
The United Nations Stabilization Mission assumed responsibility for peacekeeping in Haiti late last month, taking over from the U.S.-led Multinational Interim Force.
The force was needed when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled Haiti after rebels overwhelmed several cities and threatened to attack the capital.
Brazil is leading the UN force, and about 6,700 soldiers have been contributed from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Canadian Forces deployed about 500 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Haiti in early March. That presence will be reduced to a couple of UN staff officers by September, as part of Canada's overall plan to reduce overseas military commitments over the next year.
Haiti is being led by Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and elections are being planned for next year.
Canada is changing the nature of its commitment to Haiti, giving Canadian Forces a break and sending 100 police officers to help with security and training.
The officers, mostly from the RCMP, will be there for two years. They'll be sent in three phases of about 30 officers over the next three months.
Prime Minister Paul Martin made the announcement after Tuesday's final meeting of his pre-election cabinet, citing a "hemispheric and moral responsibility" to the troubled Caribbean nation.
Foreign Minister Bill Graham said Canada was sending police instead of soldiers this time, "because it's believed this is what's required for security at this time."
The United Nations Stabilization Mission assumed responsibility for peacekeeping in Haiti late last month, taking over from the U.S.-led Multinational Interim Force.
The force was needed when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled Haiti after rebels overwhelmed several cities and threatened to attack the capital.
Brazil is leading the UN force, and about 6,700 soldiers have been contributed from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Canadian Forces deployed about 500 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Haiti in early March. That presence will be reduced to a couple of UN staff officers by September, as part of Canada's overall plan to reduce overseas military commitments over the next year.
Haiti is being led by Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and elections are being planned for next year.