HAITI NAMES NEW PREMIER

Haiti's Army and political establishment are pressing ahead with plans for a new government despite international opposition and have designated conservative Marc Bazin as prime minister.

The decision, announced on state-run National Radio Tuesday, coincided with an Army sweep through a working-class neighborhood. The action appeared designed to forestall any demonstrations against Mr. Bazin by supporters of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in a bloody September coup.

Bazin, a former World Bank official, would become prime minister under an Army-backed plan approved last month. He would effectively run the country; the presidency would remain vacant for now, an apparent gesture to foreign governments seeking President Aristide's reinstatement.

The selection of Bazin must be ratified by parliament. The process is expected to take about a week.

Pro-Aristide groups denounced the move and predicted that widespread political repression would continue.