VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3368 2520251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 090233Z SEP 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 093368 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO HA
SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON HAITI, 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  USUN should draw from the 
talking points in paragraph 2, as appropriate, during the UN 
Security Council open debate on Haiti, scheduled for 
September 9, 2009.  This debate provides an opportunity to 
urge support for the renewal of MINUSTAH,s mandate, and to 
underscore the USG,s approach to Haiti as one of partnership 
and coordination with the Government of Haiti on its 
priorities. 
 
¶2. Begin points. 
 
-First, I would like to thank the Special Representative of 
the Secretary-General, Mr. Hedi Annabi, for his dedication to 
Haiti and leadership of MINUSTAH.  I also want to again 
welcome President Clinton to the Council today.  The United 
States strongly supports his appointment as UN Special Envoy 
for Haiti.  We commend President Clinton for assuming this 
duty, and are confident that his efforts will lead to 
sustained international attention and engagement on Haiti. 
 
-Despite the major challenges and setbacks caused by the 
hurricanes and the food crisis of last year, we continue to 
see progress being made in Haiti.  The United States is 
pleased with the increased political cooperation in Haiti 
that allowed for Senate elections and the passage of several 
key pieces of legislation.  We urge the Government of Haiti 
to maintain its efforts to foster an all-inclusive political 
dialogue, and we thank MINUSTAH for its ongoing support of 
the electoral process in Haiti. 
 
-The United States congratulates the Inter-American 
Development Bank and Prime Minister Pierre-Louis for the 
successful conclusion of the April 14 Donors, Conference, 
which the IDB reported resulted in $353 million in new 
pledges for Haiti.  The United States pledged $57 million in 
new funding, including $20 million in indirect budget 
support.  We reiterate the need for the Government of Haiti 
and its partners to continue their efforts to advance 
economic growth and development in the country, including by 
supporting the country,s Plan for Reconstruction and 
Economic Recovery. 
 
-The United States welcomed the commitment of donors at the 
Conference to assist the government of Haiti to address the 
difficult conditions of daily life for the Haitian people. 
We thank partners for the commitments they have made to 
bettering these socioeconomic problems, and call on them to 
maintain momentum to alleviate such suffering.  The United 
States again underscores our own commitment to partner more 
closely with the government of Haiti and other donors to 
respond more effectively to the needs of the Haitian people. 
 
-While we are encouraged by the gains made to the security 
situation, we are acutely aware of the potential threats to 
Haiti,s stability, including transnational crime, gang 
violence, and civil unrest.  As I continuously stress, there 
can be no security without development, and there can be no 
sustained development without security.  The United States 
remains optimistic about the gradual improvements in 
capabilities of the Haitian National Police (HNP) to meet 
these challenges.  Yet, we recognize that the HNP still lacks 
the capacity and appropriate training and equipment to 
respond independently to the diverse threats present in 
Haiti.  To this end, we again commend MINUSTAH, as well as 
bilateral donors, for the role they play in maintaining a 
stable environment in the country, and for their technical 
support and contributions to building up the HNP.  We note 
our renewed efforts to respond to the security priorities of 
the government of Haiti and a secure environment for the 
people of Haiti.  To complement our renewed efforts in the 
security sphere, we are looking closely at our investments in 
the development sphere.  This is an initiative that Secretary 
of State Clinton committed herself and the Department to at 
the April Donor's Conference.  Guided by development 
priorities set out by the Government of Haiti at the 
Conference, we are looking at ways in which the United States 
can be a more effective investor and bilateral partner with 
Haiti to bring about the human security, economic development 
and long-term stability required for the eventual drawdown of 
peacekeeping forces. 
 
-The United States stands behind the Secretary-General in his 
recommendation to extend MINUSTAH,s mandate for an 
additional year, including the adjustments he proposed to its 
force configuration.  We continue to be optimistic about the 
advances that have been made to the consolidation plan over 
the past year, and remain committed to the Mission and to 
Haiti.  We again urge partners to maintain their commitment 
and to deepen our common effort to stabilize the country.  As 
the Secretary-General has underlined, while the Haitian 
people have primary responsibility for ensuring the 
country,s advancement, the continued engagement of the wider 
international community is essential to realize this historic 
opportunity for progress, which can facilitate a brighter 
future for Haiti. 
 
-Finally, the United States expresses its sincere 
appreciation to the Special Representative of the 
Secretary-General and MINUSTAH for their bravery and 
commitment to the stabilization of Haiti, under the 
commendable leadership of Brazil and with the steady support 
from all the Troop and Police Contributing Countries which 
have provided uniformed personnel to the Mission. 
 
End points. 
CLINTON