UNSC OPEN DEBATE ON SYG'S REPORT ON HAITI

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000838 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC HA SUBJECT: UNSC OPEN DEBATE ON SYG'S REPORT ON HAITI REF: STATE 33393 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On September 9 the Security Council held an open debate on the Secretary-General's report on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Former President Bill Clinton, addressing the Council in his capacity as UN Special Envoy to Haiti, called for projecting a "more positive image" of Haiti and urged international donors to fund their commitments. The Secretary-General's Special Representative to Haiti, Hedi Annabi, reported limited progress on the Secretary-General's five benchmarks for consolidating stability in Haiti. Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis delivered a poignant speech highlighting her country's progress while calling for continued international support. All 15 Council Members and 16 delegations--10 from Latin America and the Caribbean--participated in the debate. ¶2. (SBU) (Summary cont.) Debate in the Council was marked by general agreement on major themes. Ambassador Rice cited "real progress" in the security situation while noting that threats to stability remain. Council Members praised the recent Senate elections and passage of key legislation, drew linkages between security, stability and socio-economic conditions, acknowledged incremental improvement in the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP),recognized the contributions pledged at the April 14 Donors' Conference, and called for the extension of the MINUSTAH mandate. Other Members States largely reiterated these broad themes while offering strong expressions of Latin American and Caribbean solidarity with Haiti (End Summary). Special Envoy Clinton lends support, provides optimistic outlook -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On September 9 the Security Council held an open debate on the Secretary-General's report on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). UN Special Envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton called for projecting a "more positive image" of Haiti and urged international donors to fund their commitments, noting that of $760 million in pledges, only $21 million has been disbursed. Clinton noted the importance of the Government of Haiti's (GOH) Recovery Program for the creation of new jobs and the provision of basic services. He encouraged increased private sector investment and competition and urged NGOs and civil society groups to invest more human and financial capital in Haiti. He listed the many individuals and groups committed to progress in Haiti including President Preval, Prime Minister Pierre-Louis, members of the Haitian diaspora, national and multinational donors, NGOs, and neighboring Latin American and Caribbean countries. Clinton praised MINUSTAH for contributing to a "more secure environment" in Haiti and thanked the Council for its strong and continued support of the mandate. SRSG Annabi cites limited progress on benchmarks, calls for maintaining efforts -------------- ¶4. (SBU) SRSG Annabi provided an update on the status of the Secretary-General's five benchmarks for consolidating stability in the country, tracking closely with the SYG's report on MINUSTAH. Annabi praised the recent Senate elections and increased political dialogue as well as the establishment of Presidential Commissions and greater executive-legislative cooperation. He noted progress in extending state authority and enhancing institutional capacity, but stated that much more needs to be done to deliver basic services throughout the country. Annabi highlighted "continued progress in addressing threats and developing security capabilities" and praised MINUSTAH for its critical role in strengthening the HNP. Despite nascent judicial and penal reform efforts, Annabi said more needs to be done in furtherance of the rule of law and respect for human rights. While recognizing that socio-economic development is not a core peacekeeping issue, Annabi underscored the link between stability and development and urged the international community to continue its assistance. Haitian Prime Minister grateful for support, notes progress and promises more -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis delivered a poignant speech highlighting her country's progress while calling for continued international support. She credited MINUSTAH, the international community and the HNP for helping to "reestablish a climate of peace, stability and security," while acknowledging the need to further strengthen police capacity, pursue judicial and penal reforms, address human rights abuses, and improve socio-economic conditions in Haiti. She affirmed the GOH's commitment to fostering local investment, attracting foreign investment, and promoting job creation. Pierre-Louis noted her government's efforts to invest in critical infrastructure designed to extend basic services, as well as its promotion of "essential" economic development reforms. ¶6. (SBU) Pierre-Louis stated that Haiti's progress and stability remains "fragile and vulnerable," and depends on the continued support and partnership of the international community, including the funding pledges made at the April 14 Donors' Conference in Washington. In order to overcome the challenges that remain, Pierre-Louis called for greater investment to boost national production, improving and expanding basic infrastructure, fostering private enterprise, reducing corruption, engaging local civil society and regional actors, restoring confidence among the nations' youth, and guaranteeing social, economic and political rights. Pierre-Louis also noted that the GOH had satisfied the conditions for $1.2 billion in debt relief by, inter alia, passing a legislative budget for 2009-2010, passing minimum wage legislation, and taking steps to protect the environment and encourage reforestation. Council Members follow same script -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Rice praised MINUSTAH and cited "real progress" in Haiti including increased political cooperation, improvement in the security situation and gradual improvement in the HNP. Rice noted, however, that threats to stability, including transnational crime, gang violence, and civil unrest, remain. In addition to improving security in Haiti, Rice stated that the U.S. is working to strengthen the rule of law, expand human security, extend economic development, deepen good governance, and reinforce the stability required for the eventual drawdown of peacekeeping forces. She noted the $353 million pledged to Haiti at the April 14 Donors' Conference in Washington, including $77 million in U.S. aid. Rice urged the GOH to foster political dialogue and continue efforts to advance economic growth and development. While fully supporting the extension of MINUSTAH's mandate, Rice echoed the Secretary-General's statement that the Haitian people bear primary responsibility for their country's future. ¶8. (SBU) Other Council Members largely reiterated Rice's comments. Members welcomed progress in Haiti while recognizing its fragility, praised the recent Senate elections and the passage of key legislation, drew linkages between security, stability and socio-economic conditions, acknowledged incremental improvement in the capacity of the HNP, recognized the contributions pledged at the April 14 Donors' Conference, offered support for the UN stability consolidation plan, and called for extending the MINUSTAH mandate. There was widespread consensus that ultimate responsibility for success in Haiti lies with the GOH and the Haitian people. Chinese PermRep Zhang asserted that fostering economic and social development falls outside the Security Council's purview and should not be pursued by MINUSTAH. The Croatian Deputy PermRep called for greater numbers of female officers in the HNP while the Costa Rican PermRep deplored Haitian military spending as wasteful and unnecessary. Other delegations repeat themes; regional actors express solidarity -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Latin American and Caribbean nations voiced strong solidarity with Haiti. Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, emphasized the linkage between security, stabilization and development. Sweden, speaking on behalf of the European Union, added that unemployment, increased cost of living, and lack of basic services could undermine stability and development. Sweden also specifically urged Haiti to do more to prevent prison overcrowding and pre-trial detention. Canada, as Chair of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Group on Haiti, stated that economic growth objectives will not be obtained until huge gaps in basic services are closed. CUBA cited Haiti as an example of the "disastrous consequences of colonialism and neocolonialism," while emphasizing its bilateral assistance in the health arena. Venezuela highlighted its energy-related development assistance to Haiti (its "brother nation of emancipation") while Jamaica, speaking on behalf of Caricom, reaffirmed solidarity for Haiti within the Caricom "family." RICE