The economist, who was imprisoned and tortured during the dictatorship of Baby Doc Duvalier between 1971 and 1986, is now drafting an economic development project for Haiti, and playing an active role as mediator among Haitian political forces.

"The basic task of the UN military mission is to guarantee the authority and sovereignty of the people," he pointed out. However, he said that so far the UN peace-keeping forces commanded by Brazil have taken no effective moves to disarm gangs and paramilitary groups. Therefore, the UN troops have no reason to stay now. Instead, Chalmers said, "Brazil should send doctors, forestry engineers, education and health specialists."

Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was first elected in 1990, was accused by his opponents of despotism and corruption during his second term in office. After a month-long armed revolt, he fled into exile on Feb. 29, 2004 under US and French pressure. After his fall, the United States, France and Canada sent intervention troops to the country. To replace their troops and help stabilise Haiti, which is still dogged by political and criminal violence, the United Nations authorised a peacekeeping force of some 6,000 troops and 1,000 civilian police in June 2004.

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