HAITI . . . RATCHETING UP THE RHETORIC

Senior U.S. officials said some 10,000 U.S. troops will lead a coalition that will enter Haiti one way or another -- either by force or to clean up the country after Haiti's military junta leaves. "The multinational force is going to Haiti," Deputy Defense Secretary John Deutch vowed. At the same news conference, Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott said the use of force would be "a last resort." Confused? The renewed U.S. saber rattling prompted some bluff calling from unofficial intermediary Randall Robinson, executive director of the TransAfrica, who demanded the Administration give the junta 48 hours to get out. BTW: Robinson complained that the Clinton Administration's policy was in disarray. For evidence, he cited a TIME Daily report of July 13, in which a senior Haitian military source claimed the U.S. Coast Guard was sharing information with the junta on departing Haitian refugees.