POLITICAL
MINUSTAH’s message
MINUSTAH expresses its deepest condolences to the Haitian National Police (HNP) to the family members of five police officers who were recently killed in Port-au-Prince due to the recent upsurge of violent acts in the city.
MINUSTAH also expresses its condolences and compassion to all Haitian victims of violence and daily insecurity in the country.
MINUSTAH strongly condemns all acts of violence, including those that have a political agenda behind them.
MINUSTAH strongly urges the Haitian political to engage in dialogue and national reconciliation instead of violence. In this context, the Mission is satisfied that the parties signed, on 18 September 2004, a document establishing the framework for a definite solution for the problems concerning the ex-military in Haiti.
SECURITY
In Port-au-Prince and Gonaïves
On 5 October, Amb. Valdes participated in a meeting with the Haitian National Police Superior Council (CSPN). During the meeting, the establishment of a joint center of operation with the Haitian National Police (HNP) was announced.
Reinforcement of security measures by MINUSTAH: since 6 October, MINUSTAH began conducting regular patrols and establishing a permanent presence of police officers in Port-au-Prince.
6 and 9 October: MINUSTAH’s military troops and the Haitian National Police (HNP) conducted two joint military operations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 150 people. During these operations, a Brazilian soldier was slightly injured.
13 October: MINUSTAH initiated aerial surveillance patrols consisting of four helicopter patrols per day over Port-au-Prince.
Insecurity in Gonaïves: an Argentinean soldier was injured in Gonaïves. Also, due to the need for increasing security measures in the food distribution points, MINUSTAH troops conduct regular patrols at these locations.
DEPLOYMENT:
A) EFFECTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL (up until 12 OCTOBER 2004)
MINUSTAH Headquarters: 65 BRAZIL: 448 URUGUAY: 573 ARGENTINA: 552 NEPAL: 129 SRI LANKA: 128 TOTAL: 3092
B) EFFECTIVE CIVIL POLICE OFFICERS (up until 12 OCTOBER 2004)
OFFICERS: 476 FPU: 174 TOTAL: 650
HUMANITARIAN
FLOOD INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR DISASTER AND RISK MANAGEMENT
* Number of dead: 1870 * Number of missing people: 884 * Number of injured people: 2620 * Number of homeless: 298926 * Sheltered people: 14048 *Destroyed homes: 4628
Mr. Valdes traveled to Gonaïves on 6 and 9 of October. During the visit he attended a mass ceremony that took place at the Gonaïves Cathedral in memory of the flood victims.
Mr. Adama Guindo and the Haitian Minister of the Environment, Mr. Yves Wainright, met to discuss and assess the risks and vulnerability of the Haitian environment.
Four food distribution points are currently operational in Gonaïves.
Since 22 September, the WFP has distributed a total of 1394 tons of food in Haiti. In Gonaïves, the authorities have reported that 7500 people have benefited from the daily food distributions. In Cap-Haitian, 140 tons of food has been distributed.
MINUSTAH’s logistic support:
After the Gonaïves floods, MINUSTAH has organized one or two convoys per day (comprising 13 trucks each), totaling 30 convoys up until today.
The Brazilian Brigade continues to accompany and provide security to the humanitarian aid convoys leaving from PAP to Gonaïves.
Health
The Argentinean contingent doctors continue to assist the victims of the floods in Gonaïves. Four medical centers are functioning in Gonaïves.
UNICEF has sent a psychological team to assist the flood victims in Gonaïves.
CIVIL AFFAIRS:
Quick-Impact-Projects
Out of 433 projects examined, 28 projects have been approved. The Quick-Impact-Projects selection committee will meet on 14 October to examine 10 additional projects.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
QUESTION: Since September 30th, we have been waiting to see MINUSTAH working together with the HNP to rapidly re-establish peace and security in Port-au-Prince. However, that has not taken place yet. How long should we continue to wait for peace and security in the streets of Port-au-Prince.
ANSWER: We know that the issue of insecurity is complex and we are worried. The MINUSTAH troops deployed in Haiti currently represent only 50% of the total contingent.
MINUSTAH is studying many solutions for the security problems caused by armed gangs in the country. MINUSTAH is focusing its efforts on increasing security measures throughout PAP. Some notable achievements concerning security have been the increase in patrols and check points so that the population can resume with their daily lives and economic activities. The MINUSTAH troops are currently working together with the HNP in joint operations. The permanent presence of the forces in these zones is also an option that is under examination by MINUSTAH. Also, MINUSTAH cannot be entirely responsible for all of the insecurity issues; we need the cooperation and collaboration of the population.
QUESTION: Will MINUSTAH be able to establish and ensure an atmosphere of peace and security in Haiti before the 2005 elections?
ANSWER: The elections are an important issue in Haiti, but two other important issues are those concerning humanitarian affairs and development. When the population is exposed, on a daily basis, to insecurity and their lives are threatened by gunshots and violence, it is necessary to provide immediate solutions for these problems. Nonetheless, as General Augusto Heleno Pereira said during a press conference, "the solution to the issues concerning security is strictly connected to the poverty, lack of potable water, lack of electricity and lack of health and education confronting the Haitian population." Therefore, in order to eliminate violence it is also necessary to tackle poverty in the short term and long term. Consequently, establishing a process of dialogue among Haitians is essential for the achievement of an atmosphere of peace and national reconciliation in Haiti; which in turn would lead to the successful achievement of democratic, free and honest elections in the country next year.
QUESTION: The ex-militaries still possess arms and continue to occupy some public buildings. Nonetheless, certain groups continue to conduc t arrests even after signing an agreement with the government. What does MINUSTAH think of this?
ANSWER: MINUSTAH forces have been exposed to the presence of ex-militaries in certain neighborhoods in the capital, especially in the de Freres zone, but we do not have the confirmation that they are located in all zones of the city. As you already know, the Government will announce the name, today, of three people who will be part of the ex-military dossier management group; and this shows that the Government is effectively tackling this issue. Consequently, MINUSTAH will not act differently from the Government, as stated in MINUSTAH’s mandate.
QUESTION: An agreement has been signed among the Government and the ex-militaries, but the former military have already criticized the agreement, affirming that they do not recognize their roles. What does MINUSTAH think about this?
ANSWER: It is probable that some ex-military disagree with the solutions provided by the Government for their problems. However, we can say, according to the agreement signed on 18 September, that there a will exist on the part of the government to negotiate for a solution. Consequently, we hope that those steps will lead us towards a suitable solution for all sides.
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