02 June 2004
New U.N. Stabilization Mission Begins in Haiti
U.S. officers to participate in U.N. mission
By Eric Green
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Troops and civilian police under the banner of the United Nations have begun arriving in Haiti to help continue efforts to stabilize conditions in the troubled Caribbean nation.
The 8,000-strong U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) was formally launched June 1 to help the people of Haiti tackle the "complex challenges" they face, says U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The mission demonstrates the international community's commitment to Haiti and reflects that commitment "in its mandate, size, and structure," Annan said in a June 1 speech.
The U.N. stabilization mission assumes responsibility in Haiti from a U.S.-led 3,600-person multinational interim force that was sent to the country following the February 29 resignation of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
The United Nations "stands ready to work with Haiti and its people to overcome the current critical situation and to ensure a sustainable future," Annan said.
The U.N. mission is required to coordinate its operations with the Organization of American States and the 15-nation bloc of Caribbean countries known as Caricom.
Among its tasks in Haiti, MINUSTAH aims to establish a secure and stable environment; foster democratic governance and institutional development; assist Haiti's transitional government in organizing free and fair municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible; strengthen the rule of law; and support the country's human-rights institutions and groups.
"The international community must do its part and remain engaged [in Haiti] for the long term, both politically and financially," Annan said.
MINUSTAH is the fifth U.N. mission in Haiti since 1993. Brazilian Lieutenant-General Augusto Ribeiro-Pereira has been named as Force Commander of the new mission, which is receiving personnel from Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, France, Guatemala, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, the United States and Uruguay.
The U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) said in a May 28 statement that the multinational interim force that has been in Haiti for the last three months plans to conduct operations in the country for an additional 20 days before transferring responsibility to MINUSTAH. The plan calls for the 1,900 U.S. forces deployed to Haiti as part of that interim force to conduct a phased redeployment to the United States during June as the MINUSTAH forces are sent to Haiti.
The majority of U.S. forces are scheduled to depart Haiti by June 29, Southcom said. Southcom explained that the U.S. forces are returning to the United States because their work in Haiti is complete; he said that the mission from the outset "was to be an interim force, and they succeeded in all assigned missions" in Haiti.
Southcom said the United Nations has asked for four U.S. officers from the multinational interim force to remain as part of the MINUSTAH military staff under the operational control of the U.N. special representative in Haiti.
U.S. Ambassador to Haiti James Foley said in a May 24 press conference that the two latest U.N. forces sent to the country succeeded in "avoiding disaster" in the nation.
The interim U.N. force "did not resolve all problems, such as the security problems" in Haiti, Foley said. Resolving that issue, he said, is a "long-term job" that must be preceded by the "reform" of the Haitian national police. The United States will continue to contribute to helping Haiti resolve its security problems, Foley said.
The ambassador added that the United States will be present at a "big" donors' meeting for Haiti scheduled for the end of June, where an announcement will be made on aid being provided to Haiti from the international community.
"It is obvious that the present is very difficult for the Haitian people," said Foley. "But I can tell you that the future is promising, and we are beginning to really help the Haitian people in the coming weeks."
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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