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NEWS RELEASES

July 30, 1997 No. 126

CANADA WELCOMES EXTENSION OF

UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN HAITI

The Government of Canada today welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to create a new UN Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH). This new mission will be made up of civilian police officers and a military protection force for a four-month mandate until November 30, 1997. This decision is in response to a request by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the international community to maintain a presence in Haiti for a few more months to consolidate the democratic process and reinforce national institutions. UNTMIH will pick up from the current peacekeeping mission whose mandate expires July 31.

"There has been tangible progress in Haiti over the last few years, and Canada is particularly proud to have played such a prominent role in support of this evolution, through our bilateral relations and within the different UN missions," said Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. "Canada believes that maintaining a UN presence in Haiti will help consolidate the peace process there and build a solid foundation for economic development through the pursuit of professionalization of the police force and improvement of the legal system."

"As with past United Nations missions in Haiti, Canada will provide a contingent of Canadian Forces personnel as part of the security element for the operation," said Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton. "The task of this military component will be to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of those United Nations personnel who will be supporting the Haitian National Police."

Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for la Francophonie Diane Marleau added: "By supporting the civilian police mission and by providing technical assistance to the Haitian National Police, the Canadian International Development Agency and its international partners are helping the Government of Haiti promote the rule of law and ensure the country's security and stability. Our support is important because without security and without justice, there can be no long-term social and economic development for the Haitian people."

"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in co-operation with other Canadian police corps, will continue to play an essential role in the professionalization of the Haitian National Police," said Solicitor General Andy Scott. "The RCMP's technical contribution to training and the implementation of a community police concept will help the Haitian National Police to build a stable and professional police force."

The new mission will include a civilian police force numbering up to 250, including 60 Canadians, and a military protection force of 1 000, to which Canada is contributing 650 soldiers.

The UN established a presence in Haiti in March 1995, with Canada in command since March 1996. The UN Transition Mission in Haiti is clearly the last of the peacekeeping missions there since Haitian President René Préval has stated that he would make no further requests for UN peacekeeping troops.

The mission's military protection force will be financed by the UN, who will contribute to the force's command headquarters, numbering 50. The remainder of the force will be paid by voluntary funding from other countries, including Canada and the United States. The mission's mandate is to offer protection to the civilian police officers and contribute to the development of the Haitian National Police.

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This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca