Global Policy Forum

By Andrew Hay

Brazil hopes to build a role as a regional crisis mediator by leading a U.N. peace mission to Haiti to rebuild the poorest nation in the Americas, diplomats and analysts in Brazil said. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has sought to champion the interests of the world's poorest nations since taking office, has offered Brazil's biggest ever U.N. peacekeeping force for the job. Lula has conditioned Brazilian leadership of the mission on international support to build a democracy in Haiti after two U.S. interventions within ten years failed to halt a series of coups and rebellions.

The U.N. Security Council is this week expected to issue a resolution on the new mission to Haiti which comes after a February revolt left over 200 dead and forced former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to flee. "We don't want it to be a matter of patching things up and then taking off," said a Brazilian diplomat, who asked not to be named.

Since entering power 16 months ago, Lula has tried to set up a meeting between the U.N. and Colombian rebels, ease Venezuela's political problems and rebuild international ties with Syria and Libya. The former metalworker has gained a name for leading poor nations against rich nations' trade barriers.

Leadership of the U.N. mission to Haiti would showcase Brazil's push for regional stability as it seeks a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, diplomats said. "Brazil is trying to show the big powers, principally the U.S., it is an actor in international affairs," said Reginaldo Nasser, head of international relations at Sao Paulo's Catholic University.

Brazil's offer to provide 1,470 army, navy and airforce troops and lead the mission has pleased Washington, which faces criticism for its handling of Haiti's recent uprising, analysts said. With its global security commitments, the United States is keen for regional players to take over from a current U.S.-led force in Haiti by June 1. "This is all good, it shows Brazil is prepared to assume responsibilities," said another Brazilian diplomat, on condition of anonymity.

Lula's defiance of the United States on issues ranging from immigration controls to nuclear security could also dampen fears among Caribbean nations the mission will enter Haiti to do the United States' bidding, analysts said. The 15-member bloc of Caribbean Community nations has so far refused to recognize Haiti's U.S.-backed interim government. Aristide has accused the United States of forcing him to leave at gunpoint, a claim Washington denies.