UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council Thursday promised to consider urgent international involvement in Haiti to support a political settlement of the worsening crisis.
On another front, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed a long-time diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, Reginald Dumas, as his special adviser on Haiti.
As night fell, diplomatic sources at the United Nations said, "Things were getting worse," in Haiti, particularly around the Capital Port-au-Prince.
The council's soft stance apparently was meant to allow time for a conference in Paris Friday, called Wednesday by Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin. However, the deteriorating situation in the French-speaking Caribbean nation threatened the ability of principals to get to the Paris meeting.
Diplomatic sources Thursday night thought the meeting could slip into next week.
The position of the panel of 15 was spelled out in a formal presidential statement, a notch below a resolution, which is the world organization's instrument to carry the weight of international law.
"The Security Council expresses deep concern in regard to the deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian environment in Haiti," Ambassador Wang Guangya of China, this month's council president read from the statement. "It deplores the loss of life that has already occurred and fears that the failure, thus far, to reach a political settlement may result in further bloodshed.
"Continued violence and the breakdown of law and order in Haiti could have destabilizing effects in the region," he continued reading, "commending efforts of the Organization of American States and the Caribbean Community "for their lead role in promoting a peaceful solution," particularly through their "Plan of Action," which was rejected by the opposition earlier in the week.
Canada, France and the United States supported the action plan.
The council called for continued cooperation among regional members, but said, "An accelerated timetable now seems necessary."
Said the statement: "The Security Council is deeply concerned with the prospect of further violence in Haiti and acknowledges the call for international involvement in Haiti. The council will consider urgently options for international engagement, including that of an international force in support of a political settlement."
Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere of France told the council the answer for Haiti "lies in the plan of action put forth by CARICOM and the OAS."
Apparently Villepin was hoping to put pressure on in Paris for acceptance.
"It is urgent with regard to the humanitarian situation of the people, which is worsening in a very troubling manner, and with regard to the human rights violations to which the people are falling victim," the Paris envoy said.
France's view of international assistance included change through constitutional means with preparations for elections, the establishment of an electoral commission, instituting legitimate voter registration rolls and the organization of international observer missions.
"A civilian peacekeeping force should be envisioned," La Sabliere said. "Such a force would not be a U.N. force but should be authorized by the Security Council and have a council mandate. It could be an important complement to a political solution; it could help re-establish public order and support the international community's action on the ground, notably in the humanitarian sphere and that of human rights.
"As my authorities have indicated at the highest level, France would be prepared to contribute a civilian peacekeeping force meeting these conditions, in addition to the contingents that must necessarily come first and foremost from the countries of the region," he said.
It was made clear in the formal meeting, which heard more than 30 speakers, there would be no council action without first a political agreement.
