WORLD IN BRIEF : HAITI : Rumors Fly as Leader Disappears

Provisional President Joseph Nerette, who replaced ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide 10 days ago, has made no public appearances in the past week and may be seriously ill, a Western diplomat and political sources said. The disappearance of Nerette, 67, fueled rumors that a fresh political crisis faces the Caribbean nation following a Sept. 30 military coup that deposed Aristide and brought condemnation from most Western governments. It also comes at a time when Haiti is preparing to send a delegation to meet with the Organization of American States in hopes of persuading the group to reconsider threatened trade sanctions.