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Haiti's new cabinet was sworn in Wednesday, devoid of all members of ousted president Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas Party, drawing mixed reaction at home and abroad and casting shadow over prospects of the Caribbean country.
The 13-member cabinet, headed by interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, was installed at an inauguration ceremony at the National Palace after days of discussions among a Haitian council, opposition and Aristide' Lavalas Party.
Termed as "nonpartisan" by Latortue, the new government pledged to restore law and order to the revolt-torn country, establish a credible judicial system and set up an impartial electoral body.
The cabinet includes Bernard Gousse as justice minister, Henri Bazin as finance minister, and former general Herard Abraham as interior minister. Most of them are Aristide's critics.
Some opposition leaders accused the new government of being more of a personal government of Latortue than a government of national unity.
Aristide's former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune warned that it would not bring reconciliation by excluding Lavalas, rather it would further push the already-divided country to polarization.
New cabinet sustains overseas backlashes
The cabinet formation caused backfire from some countries and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), with some questioning the new government's legitimacy since not a single member of Aristide' Lavalas Party, the largest party in Haiti, was included.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Tuesday that the Venezuelan government would not recognize Haiti's new government, claiming Haiti's ousted leader Aristide was a legitimate president elected by his people.
He also said "the doors of Venezuela are open" to Aristide.
Jamaica, which offered Aristide a visit of up to 10 weeks in the country, joined Venezuela in a chorus of opposition to the new Haitian government, refusing to acknowledge its authorities and insisting it should be subject to Caricom deliberation later this month.
Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson said his country's decision to provide asylum to Aristide was a humanitarian gesture, in an effort to reunite him with his family. Meanwhile, Patterson said Aristide had not asked for a permanent asylum yet.
Caricom, the 15-member of regional bloc, would discuss whether to recognize the new Haitian government at a summit on March 25, saying the exclusion of Lavalas Party members runs counter to their previous proposals for power-sharing.
Caricom also demanded an investigation into Aristide's claim that he was kidnapped by the United States on Feb. 29 and forced to sign a resignation letter against his will.
Haiti's new government withdrew on Monday its ambassador from Jamaica in protest and temporarily suspended its membership in the Caricom.
Aristide's return from exile in the Central African Republic for temporary asylum in Jamaica infuriated Latortue's government, fearing Aristide' presence, just 185 km from Haiti's shores, would foment turmoil among his followers at home.
US, Canada pledge help
US Ambassador James Foley was quoted by a US news agency as saying that by Latortue's wise choice, Haiti could expect significant aid from the United States and the international community.
Canada also threw its weight behind the new government by criticizing Jamaica. Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham said Canada would urge Jamaica as well as Aristide to stay outside Haitian politics, which would enable the country to start afresh.
Canada dispatched about 170 troops to Haiti on Wednesday for a three-month mission, part of 450 Canadian Forces personnel being sent on "Operation Halo," after its request to send Caricom troops to Haiti was vetoed by the bloc.
They were to join US Marines and French soldiers already patrolling the Haitian capital. They would also help guard facilities, such as port and airport.
There are currently more than 2,600 soldiers from the United States, France and Chile deployed in Haiti.
Internal situation uncertain
The inauguration ceremony coincided with French troops' mission of disarming Aristide supporters, in which about 70 weapons were handed over to the Haitian police, the first arms surrender since violence erupted last month.
However, the fear of reprisal killing ran deep among people loyal to Aristide, who were left wondering how to protect themselves after arms were surrendered.
Meanwhile, Aristide's militant supporters welcomed on Tuesday his trip to Jamaica, and required the US troops to stop patrolling the Bel Air neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, where a US Marine was shot and wounded in the left arm on Sunday night.
It was the first casualty of the US peacekeeping mission in Haiti. US Marines have been involved in several gun-battles in the capital since their arrival, killing six Haitians.
On Monday, about 120 US Marines stormed the Bel Air neighborhood in armed vehicles in a show of force.
(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2004)
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