By George Gedda
Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, April 5 -- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell gave assurances Monday of full U.S. support for Haiti's interim government but said politically motivated private armies should lay down their weapons.

"Without disarmament, Haiti's democracy will be at risk," Powell said at a news conference with Haiti's interim prime minister, Gerard Latortue. Latortue told Powell that all Haiti's political parties agree that municipal, legislative and presidential elections, initially planned for next month, should be held in 2005.

Powell said prospects are good for sending a peacekeeping force sponsored by the United Nations to replace the U.S.-led multinational force that arrived shortly after the Feb. 29 departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Almost 2,000 U.S. troops are serving in Haiti and are expected to leave in June, along with Canadian and Chilean troops. Their combined troop total is about 3,600.

Caribbean leaders have refused to participate in the U.S.-led international force, angry that the U.N. Security Council refused their urgent plea to send troops in time to save Aristide, Haiti's first democratically elected leader.

Powell rejected proposals by some of Haiti's Caribbean neighbors for an inquiry into the circumstances of Aristide's sudden departure five weeks ago. They alleged the United States coerced Aristide into leaving.

"I don't think any purpose would be served by such an inquiry," Powell said. "Haiti was on the verge of a total security collapse."

"On the last weekend in February, I think we averted a bloodbath," he added.

Aristide initially took up residence in the Central African Republic. He went to Jamaica about three weeks ago for family reasons, the Jamaican government said. Little has been heard from Aristide since his arrival there.

The Bush administration insists that Aristide left Haiti voluntarily. Aristide and Haiti's Caribbean neighbors contend that U.S. officials pushed him out.

Caribbean countries have not recognized the interim government, arguing that Aristide is Haiti's legitimate leader based on elections held in 2000. Some members of the U.S. Congress have charged that Aristide was the victim of a U.S.-sponsored coup d'etat.

U.S. officials have pressed Latortue in recent days not to give government positions to leaders of armed groups who have criminal backgrounds.

About 10 days after his appointment as prime minister, Latortue appeared in public with some insurgent leaders and hailed them as "freedom fighters."

Powell was greeted at the capital's international airport by U.S. Ambassador James Foley and Latortue's foreign minister, Yvon Simeon. Powell urged Haitian leaders to ensure that government posts do not go to leaders of the February insurrection who are criminals or human rights violators.

© 2004