(2006-03) The Question Concerning Haiti: Statement by the President of the Security Council, 27 March 2006 (S/PRST/2006/13)

S/PRST/2006/13 United Nations Security Council Distr.: General 27 March 2006 Original: English Statement by the President of the Security Council At the 5397th meeting of the Security Council, held on 27 March 2006, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The question concerning Haiti”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council commends the Haitian people on the successful completion of the first round of their electoral process, congratulates Mr. René García Préval on his election as President, and looks forward to working with the new Government to help build a better future for Haiti. This process will give Haiti a unique opportunity to break with the violence and political instability of the past. The Council expresses its full support for the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Juan Gabriel Valdés. “The Security Council welcomes the announcement by the Haitian authorities to hold the second round of parliamentary elections on 21 April 2006, which will allow the prompt inauguration of the President elect. The Council emphasizes that timely municipal and local elections are also fundamentally important to complete Haiti’s electoral process and to strengthen its democratic institutions. The Council urges the Transitional Government of Haiti and the Provisional Electoral Council, with the support of the international community, to continue to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a transparent and credible manner. The Council reiterates its call on all parties to respect the outcome of the elections, remain engaged in the political process, and promote national reconciliation and inclusiveness in order to reach consensus on the basic policies Haiti should pursue to bolster its democratic transition. “The Security Council stresses the need to ensure a secure and stable environment in Haiti and it expresses its support for MINUSTAH’s continued efforts to assist the Haitian authorities in that respect. The Council, in that regard, encourages all troop and police contributing countries to remain engaged in MINUSTAH. The Council reaffirms that the establishment of the rule of law, including the protection of human rights, institutional capacity building, and rapid progress on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration will be crucial to Haiti’s future over the next few years. To this end, the sustained political will and the common strategic vision of the Haitian authorities and the international community are essential. In this context, the 06-28589 (E) 270306 *0628589* S/PRST/2006/13 Council underlines the urgent need to proceed with a thorough and comprehensive reform of the Haitian National Police in line with its resolution 1608 (2005) as well as concurrent justice reform. “The Security Council is aware that sustainable development in Haiti remains essential to the stability of the country. In that regard, the Council reiterates the need for the quick implementation of highly visible and labourintensive projects that help to create jobs and deliver basic social services. Recognizing progress already made in donor efforts, the Council calls on donors and relevant stakeholders to work with the new Government through the Interim Cooperation Framework to reassess assistance priorities in a targeted way and to work in close coordination, as appropriate, with MINUSTAH. The Council reiterates its willingness to cooperate with the newly elected authorities in order to address the long-term challenges facing Haiti.” 2