VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0383 1202042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 292042Z APR 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4183
INFO RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE IMMEDIATE 1234
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000383 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O, ALSO WHA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC ECON HA PREL UN
SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE PRESIDENT: HAITI 
 
¶1. (U) U.S. Mission, New York transmits this letter dated 22 
April 2008 from UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon to President Bush regarding 
assistance for Haiti. 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
Excellency: 
 
I am writing to seek your urgent assistance to address the 
situation in Haiti, where a rapid deterioration in 
socio-economic circumstances has created a volatile and 
potentially dangerous atmosphere of crisis. 
 
The daily livelihoods of Haitians have been affected by a 
worldwide rise in the price of certain staple commodities, 
which has compounded the hardship caused by a high level of 
poverty and a prolonged period of negative economic growth, 
which was only recently on the rise.  This resulted in 
increased popular frustration which found expression in a 
number of demonstrations during the first part of this month, 
several of which turned violent.  This has exacerbated 
political tensions, and led on 12 April 2008 to a motion of 
censure by the Senate against the Government. 
 
These strains on political cooperation have complicated joint 
efforts by the national authorities and the United Nations to 
place the country on a path towards stability, recovery and 
development.  Haiti is making significant 
progress, and it is crucial to avoid such backsliding, which 
could unravel what has been achieved over the past four 
years, with the assistance of the United Nations 
Stabilization Mission in Haiti, the United Nations system and 
the international community. 
 
President Rene Garcia Preval has already outlined a plan to 
meet certain immediate priorities, while seeking to enhance 
productivity in the medium and longer term so as to avoid 
similar crises in the future.  The United Nations and 
international partners have been working with the Haitian 
authorities to build on this, and to develop a broader 
picture of required action. 
 
The United Nations system will do everything in its capacity 
to assist.  Real progress will also require concerted support 
from donors.  It is essential to ensure that sufficient in 
kind contributions and funds are available to fill short-term 
needs and the requirements of ongoing programmes.  Such gaps 
include basic food items, labour intensive activities and 
provision of agricultural instruments and materials. 
 
Haitians need breathing space to avoid relapse into 
instability. I would like to urge the international community 
to redouble its efforts to assist the Haitian leadership and 
public in overcoming this time of crisis, while also 
conveying my sincere gratitude to those who already stepped 
forward. 
 
We look forward to working closely with you in this joint 
endeavour to assist the Haitian people at their time of need. 
 
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest 
consideration, together with my warm thanks for your personal 
engagement. 
 
Signed: Ban Ki-moon. 
 
END TEXT 
 
¶2. (U) Original letter has been forwarded to S/ES-CR. 
Khalilzad