[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 409--SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
                         STABILIZATION IN HAITI

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. DeWine) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 409

       Whereas Haiti has a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) 
     of $361, over 65 percent of the population lives under the 
     poverty line, 50 percent of the population does not have 
     access to clean water, and nearly 50 percent of the 
     population is illiterate, according to the World Bank;
       Whereas the Government of Haiti has fundamental 
     requirements with respect to providing citizen security, 
     protecting the rule of law, controlling drug trafficking, and 
     fighting corruption;
       Whereas, on March 2, 2004, United Nations Secretary-General 
     Kofi Annan stated, ``We should put the people of Haiti at the 
     center of everything we try to do, and try and help them 
     build a better future. And as I have indicated before, I hope 
     this time the international community will go in for the long 
     haul and not a quick turn-around. We need to work with them 
     to stabilize the country, and sustain the effort. It may take 
     years and I hope we will have the patience to do it.'';
       Whereas the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti 
     (MINUSTAH) was established by United Nations Security Council 
     Resolution 1542 on April 30, 2004, and extended again until 
     August 15, 2006, by United Nations Security Council 
     Resolution 1658, ``with the intention to renew for further 
     periods'';
       Whereas over 40 countries participate in MINUSTAH, 
     including 12 countries from the Western Hemisphere;
       Whereas the United Nations senior leadership in Haiti is 
     comprised of representatives from Canada, Brazil, and Chile;
       Whereas more than 3,500,000 Haitians registered to vote in 
     Haiti according to the Organization of American States;
       Whereas more than 2,000,000 Haitians voted in the national 
     elections on February 7, 2006, according to the Haitian 
     Provisional Electoral Council (CEP); and
       Whereas more than $1,000,000,000 was pledged at the 
     International Donors Conference in July 2004 in support of 
     Haiti's Interim Cooperation Framework: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) urges reconciliation among the people of Haiti, 
     including a government led by President-elect Rene Preval 
     that respects the rights of all political parties;
       (2) supports the holding of the second round of 
     parliamentary elections as soon as possible while stressing 
     the importance of a free, fair, and open process;
       (3) thanks the countries that have contributed personnel to 
     MINUSTAH, particularly Brazil, whose President, Luiz Inacio 
     Lula da Silva, announced on March 13, 2006, that peacekeepers 
     from Brazil will stay in Haiti for as long as the new 
     government in Haiti needs them;
       (4) strongly encourages MINUSTAH to maintain the current 
     elevated troop levels and to raise significantly the numbers 
     of UNPOL police forces;
       (5) urges the international community to continue to 
     support MINUSTAH, to fulfill the pledges made at the July 
     2004 International Donors Conference, and to plan for a new 
     multi-year commitment of support at a new donor's conference 
     to be held no later than July 2006;
       (6) recommends the creation of an effective demobilization, 
     disarmament, and reintegration program to encompass former 
     military members and gangs;
       (7) recommends that the new government cooperate fully with 
     MINUSTAH in assuring police and judiciary reform; and
       (8) supports assistance from the United States Government 
     for the reconstruction of Haiti, including programs 
     supporting job creation, governance and rule of law, 
     protection of the environment, social development, and 
     reconstruction of basic infrastructure.

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, Haiti's recent election has 
refocused the eyes of the international community on that country, its 
remarkable successes, and its continuing challenges. We must remind 
ourselves that although less than two months ago the Haitian people 
elected Rene Preval as their next President. Haiti's GDP per capita is 
$361, with over 65 percent of the population below the poverty line. 
Half of all Haitians have no access to clean water, and nearly half 
cannot read or write. In this context the Haitian achievement of an 
election is even more extraordinary.
  The international community took notice of Haiti's difficulties and 
its achievements, pledging over a billion dollars in support of Haiti's 
Interim Cooperation Framework in July 2004 at the International Donors 
Conference. Some of this money has arrived in Haiti and is benefiting 
the Haitian people while other pledges remain unfulfilled. We are in a 
critical time in Haiti; we need to ensure that the promised money 
arrives and is used in a way that will improve the lives of all 
Haitians.
  That's why today I am submitting a Senate resolution along with my 
colleague, Senator DeWine that highlights Haiti's successes and reminds 
our international partners of their commitments to Haiti and of the 
importance of promoting stability there. The United Nations 
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is authorized through August 
of this year, and it is critical that this important stability 
operation be continued. Over 40 countries have sent personnel to 
MINUSTAH, including Brazil, whose President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva 
recently announced that Brazil's peacekeepers will remain in Haiti for 
as long as the new government there needs them.
  I have just today met with the President-elect of Haiti, Rene Preval. 
In our meeting I stressed to him the important role he must now play to 
ensure that his government respects the rights of all political parties 
and maintains its legitimacy with the Haitian people and the 
international community. Mr. Preval has a unique opportunity at this 
historical juncture to move Haiti in the right direction. Doing so will 
ensure that Haiti attains its proper place within the community of free 
and democratic nations. Only by constantly striving to enhance the 
liberties and opportunities of the average Haitian can Mr. Preval be an 
effective steward of Haiti's dreams.

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