Carolina Pimentel
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília – According to Marco Aurelio Garcia, the presidential aide for Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian government believes the best way to reduce the violent conflicts in Haiti at this time is to recognize the election victory of Rene Perval, permitting him to become the next president of the country, and for Haitian political forces to sit down and begin negotiating.

The latest election results from the February 7 voting show that Perval has over 49% of the votes and the second place candidate, Leslie Manigat, has around 12%. In order to win a first-round election victory, Perval needs 50 percent plus one vote. Manigat has been insisting on a runoff election. Meanwhile Perval supporters have been demonstrating and protesting on the streets, claiming election fraud. Some of the protests have been violent.

"Brazil does not want to change the rules of the game. We are just taking a political position. This is a problem that only the Haitian people can resolve," declared Garcia.

The UN has a stabilization force in Haiti of over 9,500 soldiers and policemen. There are around 1,200 Brazilian soldiers in the force which is under Brazilian command.

Translation: Allen Bennett