Chile expesses sorrow over death of Brazilian general in Haiti

The Chilean government expressed its sorrow on Sunday over the death of Brazilian general Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

Government spokesman Osvaldo Puccio said Chile felt "profound sorrow" for the death of the Brazilian general, whom he described as a general with "magnificent career."

The general was found dead on the balcony of his hotel room on Saturday morning. First reports said he had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. But Brazil had urged a full investigation into the cause of his death.

He was replaced by Chilean general Eduadro Aldunate, deputy head of the peace-keeping mission.

Puccio said that it was up to Brazil to decide who takes over from the dead general, but that "Chile always takes on its international responsibilities and so it will take on the command of the UN troops for the moment."

Some 600 Chilean troops have been part of the mission since the beginning of 2004, looking after the security of Cap Haitien, the second largest city of Haiti.

Source: Xinhua