SPEECHES
MONTREAL, Quebec
2005/27
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NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY
THE HONOURABLE PIERRE PETTIGREW,
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
AT THE MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HAITI
I am pleased to welcome you to Montreal for this Conference on Haiti. This is the
second time in less than six months that we have organized an international conference
on Haiti. Last December, Canada met here with the Haitian diaspora--a diaspora
concerned by the situation in Haiti but, above all, determined to act.
Six months later, Canada's determination has not diminished, and our objective
remains the same: to encourage the greatest possible coordination between key actors
participating in the reconstruction process in Haiti, in order to ensure effective action
and concrete results. This conference is yet another illustration of Canada's resolve to
continue playing a leadership role in Haiti's reconstruction.
One year has passed since the creation of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in
Haiti [MINUSTAH], and 11 months have slipped by since donors gathered in
Washington and announced financial contributions in support of the Interim
Cooperation Framework [ICF]. Where do we stand? Have we made any progress since
the Cayenne Conference last March? What are the main problems facing us, and how
can each one of us help resolve them? These are the questions you will be called on to
answer tomorrow.
On the security front, much remains to be done despite the ongoing efforts of
MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police. The recent wave of abductions in
Port-au-Prince is especially troubling. This climate of violence must change in
anticipation of the fall elections. The transition to calm will be achieved through
disarmament and the promotion of a culture of peace and reconciliation. In this regard, I
am pleased with the recent signing by political parties of an electoral code of conduct,
which offers some hope for the establishment of democratic order in Haiti.
Port-au-Prince, where most of the violence has occurred, must be secured. We must
study with utmost care the possibility of augmenting military and police contingents. I
commend the participation at this conference of Juan Gabriel Valdes, Special
Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Haiti and Head of MINUSTAH, and
Gessie Cameau Coicou, spokesperson for the Haitian National Police, who will provide
us with their expert advice on this vital issue.
Maintaining security, in addition to having benefits for Haiti's people, is necessary for
the holding of free, transparent and democratic elections this fall. The result of these
elections will be the accession to office, in February 2006 at the latest, of a new
president and the establishment of a new government in Haiti.
The Provisional Electoral Council, MINUSTAH and the Organization of American States
will have a key role to play throughout the electoral process. Their efforts, and those of
the international community, must be coordinated and their objectives prioritized,
because lack of efficiency carries a price that none of us wishes to pay--especially not
the citizens of Haiti.
The fall elections should be free, transparent and democratic and should involve the
participation of all parties--eleksyon san magouy é tout tandans politic ladan! [elections
that are above-board and involve all political views!]
Earlier today, representatives from various countries participated in a technical forum
during which guidelines for an election observer mission to Haiti were discussed. The
mission will be overseen by Elections Canada and will receive a Canadian contribution
of $3.5 million. Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the United States,
Jamaica and Canada will be participating in the mission.
We must step up our efforts to meet the basic needs of Haiti's people: we must restore
infrastructure, strengthen the country's democratic and administrative institutions,
ensure access to basic services and rebuild Haiti's economy. For Haitians, this
translates into simple words such as "jobs," "electricity," "schools," "drinking water" and
"playgrounds," not to mention the dignity that is essential to a true societal project.
In July 2004, the donors gathered in Washington made a commitment to contribute
US$1.3 billion toward implementation of the Interim Cooperation Framework. We must
determine how much has been disbursed up to this point and identify the sections of
the ICF that have and have not been implemented--especially those that have not.
This conference affords all of us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Haiti and
its people, not through words but through concrete action. Let's seize this opportunity to
show the naysayers that Haiti is not a lost cause but a challenge that the Haitian
people--with our support--are in a position to overcome.
I am confident of the success of this coordination effort, and I wish you a very
productive conference.
Thank you.
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