Haiti

(Quelle: ISN) The US has begun handing over the command of its mission in war-torn and flood-ravaged Haiti to the UN, which will now face the challenge of creating - during its six-month mandate - a functioning democracy capable of holding national elections next year. The 3’600-strong US-led military force has brought only a modicum of stability to Haiti … The UN mission hopes to have between 6’700 and 8’000 troops on the ground in Haiti soon, but for now has no headquarters and its troops number only in the hundreds. … The UN’s six-month mandate, laid out by the Security Council, is a vague one.

(Quelle: OAS) Gérard Latortue, the Prime Minister of Haiti’s transitional government, told the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council today that a major task of his government is preparing to hold “free, fair, open and democratic elections.” Citing Article 23 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, he expressed the hope that the OAS, and its Special Mission in Haiti, would assist by providing “advisory services or assistance for strengthening and developing their electoral institutions and processes, including sending preliminary missions for that purpose.”

(Quelle: Washington Post) Thousands of demonstrators called for the return of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide during a Flag Day rally Tuesday that turned violent, leaving at least one man dead.

(Quelle: New York Times) … Planners cite several challenges as they seek to replace nearly 2,000 troops from the United States and about 1,500 from France, Canada and Chile who were deployed to keep order after Mr. Aristide left. … One problem is the competition for French-speaking peacekeepers, as missions are prepared for Ivory Coast and Burundi this year, United Nations representatives said. In addition, some potential contributors are reluctant to offer troops because of lingering doubts about the conditions of Mr. Aristide's departure, on Feb. 29: …

(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council today unanimously approved a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti to help stabilize the country, establish democratic institutions and eventually organize free and fair elections. Under today’s resolution, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) would take authority on 1 June from the current US-led Multinational Interim Force (MIF). ... MINUSTAH, with an initial mandate of six months, will comprise 6,700 troops and 1,622 civilian police, as well as international and local civilian staff.

(Quelle: taz) Die Friedenstruppe für Haiti weitet ihren Einsatz aus. Am Montag nahmen chilenische Soldaten Patrouillen in der Stadt Hinche nordöstlich von Port-au-Prince auf, wo nur wenige Stunden zuvor Angreifer zwei Polizeistationen in Brand gesteckt hatten. Es ist der erste Einsatz der multinationalen Truppen in der von Rebellen kontrollierten Zentralebene.

(Quelle: Washington Post) U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan called Tuesday for establishment of a force of 6,700 U.N. troops to relieve a U.S.-led multinational mission that has maintained security in Haiti since the Feb. 29 departure of former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Annan said in a 33-page report to the U.N. Security Council that the U.S.-led force of 3,600 troops would transfer authority to the United Nations by June 1.

(Quelle: Reliefweb) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday his country would command the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti only if there was an 'effective commitment' from the international community for the ' reconstruction' of the Caribbean nation. Last month, Brazil said it would send 1,100 troops to contribute to the second phase of the UN operation in Haiti and agreed to command the multinational forces that will also include troops from the United States, Canada, France, Argentina and Chile.

(Quelle: UN News) Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed sending United Nations military and police forces to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, beginning in the latter half of May as the vanguard of an 8,300-strong United Nations stabilization mission that will take over from the United States-led multilateral interim force (MIF) on 1 June. … The Secretary-General says the multidimensional UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) will consist of 6,700 troops, 1,600 civilian police and additional international and local civilian staff, and have an initial mandate of 24 months.

(Quelle: IPS News Agency) The United States and France have intimidated Caribbean countries into delaying an official request for a probe into the murky circumstances under which Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted from power in February, according to diplomatic sources at the U.N.