Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Mr. Petr Iliichev at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for introducing the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2015/667) and for her assessment of the situation in that country.Major progress has been achieved in Haiti of late in terms of strengthening stability. Long-awaited elections have taken place with reasonably good organization and in acceptable security conditions. We hope that the presidential elections will also go smoothly. The successful organization of the electoral campaign is evidence of the scrupulous work of the national authorities, including the law-enforcement bodies. The Haitian National Police showed its overall ability to keep the situation under control, although there were a few outbreaks of violence. Moreover, the local police was compelled to seek assistance from MINUSTAH only a few times. We are grateful to the United Nations Mission, which provided valuable assistance to Port-au-Prince and proved its worth, even in times of gradual drawdown. We also recognize the Chilean peacekeeper who died in the line of duty on 13 April. We offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of the former Force Commander, Lieutenant General Jaborandy, and express our support for the new Force Commander, Lieutenant General Pinheiro. The Haitian people have suffered a great deal in recent years. However, the leading political actors in the country, with the support of the international community and MINUSTAH, were eventually able to overcome their differences. The most pressing issues have been resolved, including the building of the national law-enforcement and judiciary systems, reducing the numbers of temporary internally displaced persons and holding free, fair and transparent elections. We trust that early next year the new President and legislative and local authorities will take office in Haiti. That should be a new milestone in the country’s development and help resolve the urgent tasks it faces.If Haiti is to successfully move forward and achieve full socioeconomic normalization, Port-au-Prince will continue to require the assistance of the United Nations Mission and the international community. However, the events of the past six months suggest that the main political stakeholders of the country are able to resolve their differences and set aside their own ambitions to ensure a successful future for all Haitians. The professional training of the Haitian National Police has been stepped up, as has the number of law-enforcement agents. We trust that in the course of the United Nations drawdown, the Mission will draw fully on its existing resources to fulfil its mandate to assist stabilization in Haiti. That work will be all the more effective the closer it is coordinated with the newly elected authorities. As progress is achieved, functions needs to be gradually transferred from the Mission to the national authorities. We remain troubled by the difficult humanitarian situation, including with respect to food security and the rising number of cases of cholera registered in the spring. In that regard, the United Nations specialized agencies, international organizations and Haiti’s donors have a key role to play.For our part, we are ready to consider in-depth the Secretary-General’s strategic assessment of the future of the United Nations presence in the country once it is prepared. We believe that if the process of restoring statehood is to be effective and successful, the country’s national Government needs to play the central role, and that further measures taken by the United Nations should be fully aligned with the priorities of the authorities and people of Haiti. Following the elections, the new Government will enjoy a sufficient margin of confidence on the part of the voters that will allow it to act as effectively as possible and be a reliable partner to the international community.