MIPONUH - Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (S/1998/1064)

The report covers August to November 1998 and includes the Secretary-General's recommendations on the United Nations role after the mandate ends on November 30, 1998. He says the prolonged political stalemate threatens democracy, economic development and assistance. MIPONUH has made substantial progress: a United States Information Service poll found 70 percent of those polled had confidence in the Haitian National Police, extraordinary for a country with no tradition of civilian policing.

The force is still fragile, lacking experience, resources and cohesion, and faces growing drug trafficking and banditry. Ending the mandate now would jeopardize the gains, so he shares President Préval's request of October 22, 1998 (S/1998/1003) and suggests a one-year extension focused on training middle and senior cadres, command structure and administration, community policing, and the central directorate's capacity to manage aid.