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08/01/2004:

"Brazil Is Leading a Largely South American Mission to Haiti"

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 31 - One American administration after another has tried and failed to maintain order and restore democracy in Haiti. Now, with Washington's enthusiastic support, Brazil has stepped in at the head of a United Nations mission, and is using unconventional diplomacy to complement the usual military show of force.

Brazil has a long tradition of taking part in United Nations peacekeeping forces, from Central America to East Timor. But the Haiti mission is "the first time that a U.N. force has been established with South American troops in a clear majority" and with South Americans leading the political and military sides of the operation, Brazil's defense minister, José Viegas, noted in an interview in Brasília.

Full Article : nytimes.com