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Canada to send more troops to Haiti


Canadian Press


Sunday, February 29, 2004

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham confirmed that Canada will send more troops to Haiti.
CREDIT: CP Archive



OTTAWA

Canada will send troops to Haiti in the wake of the resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, confirmed Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham on Sunday.

Appearing on CTV's "Question Period", Graham said Canada will send soldiers as part of an international stabilization force.

That force was called for by the U.S. and Graham says he spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Sunday morning.

But Graham was not specific about how many Canadian troops will go.

He would only say it would be enough to make what he called a real contribution.

Right now there are 50 Canadian troops on the island nation as part of a humanitarian force.

Graham also gave assurances Canada will not see a flood of refugees from Haiti.

He said Canada would rather be working with Haiti to make sure that the transition to a new government is smooth.

He said Canada will work with Caribbean nations to make sure people won't have to flee the island.