[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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