Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 31, 1994                   TAG: 9409010019
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: UNITED NATIONS                                LENGTH: Medium

U.N. CHIEF: HAITI ATTACK NEXT MOVE?

Haitian military leaders refused to meet with U.N. envoy Rolf Knutsson, saying he could only hold talks with members of the military-installed civilian government, which no country has recognized.

Knutsson returned Monday from the Dominican Republic, ending his efforts to prepare for formal talks on the departure of Haiti's army leaders.

``We have not been successful, because the military people in Haiti refused to talk with my special representative,'' Boutros-Ghali told reporters after he briefed the Security Council on Knutsson's efforts.

He said the mission could continue only if ``I receive a mandate from the Security Council, or if there is a drastic change in Haiti.''

The United Nations passed a resolution July 31 calling on Haiti's military leaders to peacefully step down. The resolution also authorized a possible U.S.-led invasion to restore elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to office. Aristide was ousted in a military coup nearly three years ago.

``We tried to have a peaceful implementation of Resolution 940, but we have not been successful,'' Boutros-Ghali said. ``The Security Council will have to decide what it wants to do, or the group of states that have sought the mandate [for the invasion] ... will have to take their own decision.''

British Ambassador Sir David Hannay said it was ``deplorable and sad that they have rejected yet another opportunity to do this peacefully.''

In Kingston, Jamaica, four Caribbean nations agreed to provide peacekeepers to follow a possible invasion of Haiti, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Foreign ministers of Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and Belize told U.S. officials they would contribute to a force of 266 peacekeepers.

The Security Council on Tuesday also condemned the slaying of a pro-democracy priest who championed the rights of the poor. The Rev. Jean-Marie Vincent was gunned down Sunday night outside his home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

``This odious crime will only strengthen the resolve of the international community to put an end to murder, terror and impunity in Haiti,'' Boutros-Ghali said.