MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil to command UN peace contingent in Haiti.

Brazil will be commanding a United Nations peace force to be deployed in Haiti that will be made up of Peruvian, Chilean, Argentine as well as Brazilian servicemen announced Brazilian Minister of Defence Jose Viegas.

Brazil is preparing a contingent of 1,470 men from the three services that should be ready and landing in Haiti by next July where they will spend six months.

Minister Viegas said that the official announcement will be made sometime this week by the UN Security Council. Chilean troops are already deployed in Haiti.

The deployment of Brazilian troops and the fact that Peru, Chile and Argentina are willing to work under Brazilian command "is clear evidence that Brazil wishes to participate actively in peace keeping operations in the world", said Mr. Viegas.

"The Brazilian population can be sure that we're not sending our soldiers to a conflict area, it's a peace operation".

The first UN peace keeping troops arrived in Haiti at the beginning of March for three months while a greater contingent is being prepared for the coming months.

According to Brazilian sources the decision to participate in Haiti followed a telephone call between French president Jacques Chirac and Brazilian president Lula da Silva. The decision was immediately endorsed by the United States.