(6 Apr 2004)

1. Official US airplane taxis through runway
2. US officials
3. Various shots: Secretary of State Collin Powell exits airplane, is greeted by US and Haitian officials
4. Military security reinforcements
5. Secretary of State Colin Powell
6. Press conference: Gerard Latortue, Prime Minister of Haiti, US Secretary of state Collin Powell.
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:
"The United States will do everything we can in the months ahead to help the interim government. We plan to spend 55 million dollars in economic and humanitarian assistance in Haiti during this fiscal year. We will be working with the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank to get Haiti the resources it needs so badly."
8. Cutaway media
9.SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:
"Today the Haitian people have a chance for a new beginning. On behalf of President Bush and the American people I urge the proud people of Haiti to live together in peace. Seize this new chance to put your country firmly on the path of democracy and prosperity."
10. Military officials
11. SOUNDBITE: (French) Gerard Latortue, Prime Minister of Haiti:
"Some people agree fifteen days after the presidential elections are over the new president should take power. Others say no, and follow constitutional prescriptions to take power as mandated in February, 2006."
12. Cutaway news conference
13. SOUNDBITE: (French) Gerard Latortue, Prime Minister of Haiti:
"We have talked with the US and agree on a compromise of cooperation between Haiti and the US in three major issues and on the main issue of security."
14. Press conference
15. Powell boards a US Blackhawk helicopter

STORYLINE:

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gave assurances on Monday of full U.S. support for Haiti''s interim government but said democracy cannot flourish until politically motivated private armies lay down their weapons.

Powell was speaking at a joint news conference held 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 U.N.-sponsored peacekeeping force to replace the U.S.-led multinational force that arrived shortly after the February 29 departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Almost two-thousand U.S. troops are serving in Haiti and are expected to leave in June, along with Canadian and Chilean troops.

Their combined total is about 36-hundred troops.

Caribbean leaders have refused to participate in the U.S.-led international force, angry that the 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 neighbours for an inquiry into circumstances of Aristide''s sudden departure five weeks ago.

They alleged the United States coerced Aristide into leaving.

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 neighbours contend that Washington pushed him out.

Caribbean countries have not recognised the interim government, arguing that Aristide is Haiti''s legitimate leader based on elections held in 2000.






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