U.S. Translator Killed in Haiti; Aristide Mulls Choice for Premier

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A Miami man working as a translator for the international police force here was electrocuted Sunday, the first accidental death in the multinational effort to restore Haiti’s elected government.

In the Presidential Palace, meanwhile, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was choosing a new prime minister.

His top candidate, interim Foreign Minister Claudette Werleigh, was ruled out because of her leftist bent, and Aristide was leaning toward a prominent businessman to replace caretaker Prime Minister Robert Malval, who resigned in December, a source close to the government said.

Aristide was expected to meet Sunday with the leaders of Haiti’s upper and lower houses, Chamber of Deputies President Frantz-Robert Monde, a political opponent, and Senate President Firmin Jean-Louis, a supporter.

Sources said Aristide had favored Werleigh to be the new prime minister, but encountered such resistance from political opponents that he was considering a longtime associate in the business community--a choice intended to placate the fears of business people.

The death Sunday of Elder Rousseau, 42, was the fourth American death since U.S.-led forces arrived Sept. 19. The other three were American servicemen who took their own lives.

Rosseau was killed when he accidentally came in contact with a live electrical wire about 3:30 a.m. as he patrolled with U.S. military police and Haitian police officers, according to Paul Browne, deputy director of the monitoring force.

Rousseau, of North Miami, was hired by Dyncorp, a Miami firm providing translators for international police monitors under a contract with the State Department, Browne said.