“The most important ingredients for peace in Haiti are hope, confidence, and legitimacy,” the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, affirmed January 12 at the United Nations, in New York.
Amorim went to the United States to participate in the United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the future of international aid to Haiti.
Brazil’s chancellor recalled that, despite the tsunami in South Asia, the mobilization on behalf of rebuilding Haiti should not be decreased.
“As bad as the other tragedies are – and we are following them attentively and recognize that they deserve an urgent and coordinated response from the international community -, we cannot allow the degree of priority assumed by Haiti on the international agenda to be lowered.”
At the meeting, the Minister argued that the success of the UN’ Stabilization Mission in that country is based on three pillars: the maintence of law and order, dialogue, and the promotion of social and economic development.
In the Minister’s view, what is needed is an agreement that joins the international community and the political forces in Haiti in a long-term commitment.
The Minister also referred to the need to disarm the Haitian population, a step which is his view would be the only way to re-establish security in the country.
The Minister also recalled that the funds pledged at the International Donors Conference should be made available as soon as possible, to “facilitate the preparations necessary for the execution of projects with immediate impact.”
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil