Brasília, 4/12/2004(Agência Brasil) - A total of 1,470 Brazilian soldiers have begun training to eventually command a multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti. According to minister of Defense, José Viegas, the Brazilians are scheduled to arrive in Haiti in July for a six-month period which could be extended.

When Brazil takes over the command, other nations say they will also join the force. Among those nations are Chile, Peru and Argentina, reports minister Viegas. (Translator: Allen Bennett)