S/PV.6101
6101st meeting
Monday, 6 April 2009, 10 a.m.
New York
The question concerning Haiti
Mr. Dabbashi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. We are certain that you will conduct our work effectively. We look forward to working and cooperating with you this month.
I would also like to thank colleagues who took the floor before me for their kind words addressed to my delegation. I also wish to thank Mr. Hédi Annabi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his comprehensive and significant briefing. We commend the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for its efforts, under his leadership, to establish security in Haiti.
Haiti has long been one of the most important items on the agenda of the Security Council. It remains on the agenda because Haiti has yet to recover from conflict. The security situation continues to be fragile. The economic and social fabric has been destroyed by hurricanes and other natural disasters, which have produced enormous financial losses and affected the living conditions of most of the people of Haiti. This requires a coordinated effort by the international community to promote development and economic progress, which are crucial to stability and the building of peace in Haiti. However, that can be achieved only through a clear development strategy, to be established by the Government of Haiti and implemented with the support of its international partners.
We have taken note of positive developments and the steps taken by the Government, including its call for national reconciliation and dialogue, its efforts to expand State administration throughout the country and its joint legislative agenda for 2009. We also welcome the ongoing improvements in the security situation and the work of the Haitian National Police, as well as the decline in criminal activity, in particular kidnappings. We commend coordinated efforts by the Government and the National Police to establish a stable environment where overall security and political progress can flourish.
We agree with the Secretary-General that there have been encouraging developments, but these remain fragile and liable to be reversed. That is why we are concerned at the continuing political divisions. We call upon the Government of Haiti and all political leaders to come together, in particular with respect to their dispute on reform of the 1887 constitution, through dialogue and reconciliation, and to take the constructive path of cooperation. We hope that the first round of senatorial elections, to be held on 19 April, will be successful.
We know that the series of destructive hurricanes and tropical storms that recently struck Haiti created enormous difficulties for Haitians and added to the economic and social burden borne by the Government. We saw this during our visit to Haiti: everyone the Security Council mission met made it clear to us that security and economic development are indivisible. For that reason, all Haitian elements and Government institutions should coordinate, with the support of the international community, so that Haiti can meet the challenges it faces both in the security sphere and in the economic and social realm.
In our view, it is important that the proposals outlined by Professor Paul Collier with respect to poverty reduction and the long-term economic recovery of Haiti be accorded due attention with a view to making economic progress. In that regard, we believe that Haiti’s neighbours and the other countries of the region can play an important role, in parallel with the efforts of the international community, donor countries and the United Nations country team, in improving economic and social conditions for the people. This is closely linked with the achievement of sustainable stability in the country.
We agree with the Secretary-General that assistance will be effective only if the Haitians themselves face the long-term challenges with the same spirit and determination they have shown in the aftermath of last year’s destructive hurricanes and tropical storms. We hope that the Washington donor conference will be successful and will yield the financial assistance that is needed.
