Today's Date:

The situation in Haiti is continuing to deteriorate.

A race is under way between the proponents of violence and those who are still hoping for a peaceful solution. Clearly, Haiti is threatened with chaos. The duty of the international community is to accept its full responsibility for protecting the country from disorder and violence.

I have spoken several times, yesterday and today, to Colin Powell, other foreign colleagues and several Haitian political leaders. On Friday, in principle, I shall have meetings in Paris with representatives of the two parties. The path is narrow since we must simultaneously take into account the need to respect democratic and constitutional principles, refusing to allow sheer force to have the last word, and face up to the reality as it is, a regime which has today reached an impasse, and has already dispensed with constitutional legality.

Against this background, what must be the goal of the international community? To define a political solution bringing together all the country's forces which refuse the return to the darkest days.

The best way to do this remains the establishment of a transitional government of national unity led by an appointed prime minister, in line with the CARICOM action plan. But to end the current impasse, the political process must be given a new boost by speeding up the timetable: this is why, if this transitional government, representative of a large national majority, decided to hold the necessary elections before the summer, France would give it the requisite support.

France is ready to play her full part in the international mobilization. To this end, she is proposing an initiative which builds on the CARICOM action plan. This would be structured around the following points:

- immediate establishment of a civilian peace force. This international force will be tasked with securing the return of law and order and bolstering the international community's action on the ground. It would support a government of national unity.

- international assistance to prepare the presidential election by establishing an electoral commission, drawing up proper electoral rolls and organizing international observer missions.

- provision of international humanitarian aid

- dispatch of human rights observer missions

- long-term commitment of international aid for the country's economic and social reconstruction.

All this would have to be legitimized and implemented by the international community: our proposals could be submitted to the OAS and CARICOM and the thus enhanced plan would then be presented to the United Nations for adoption by the Security Council.

It will then be for the United Nations Secretary-General to appoint a special representative. He would be tasked with the implementation on the ground and, more particularly, with the coordination of the different organizations which will be called on to act (Red Cross, Commission on Human Rights, NGOs, etc.). This international mobilization could involve the regional organizations (OAS, CARICOM), as well as the various United Nations organs and also the European Union.

Today in Haiti there is a real threat of the violence worsening. Nevertheless there is no inevitability about this. At a time when too much blood has already flowed, we must halt the spiral.

This is why France is today calling on everyone to act and act fast:

- the churches have an important role to play; we are urging them to renew their efforts;

- the political opposition must open a new phase of negotiations.

As for President Aristide, he bears a heavy responsibility in the current situation. It is for him to accept the consequences with due regard for the law. It's his decision, it's his responsibility. Everyone can see that a new chapter has to be opened in Haiti's history and that this must be done with due regard for the dignity and integrity of all the protagonists./.