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<html> <head> <meta name="generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 10"> <meta http-equiv="content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <style> p { margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px } body { font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal } </style> </head> <body> February 5, 2007 BRASILIA, Brazil 2007/4 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE PETER MACKAY, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF THE ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY, ON THE LAUNCHING OF THE JOINT BRAZIL-CANADA SEMINAR ON THE UN STABILIZATION MISSION IN HAITI I am particularly proud of being here today for the opening of this seminar. First let me take a few seconds to thank Minister Amorim for his inspiring thoughts on the way forward. This event is yet another example of the important contribution that Brazil is making in Haiti, in what is, without a doubt, a complex and integrated peace operation. I welcome the presence here today of distinguished representatives from the very countries who are working with the Haitian government and international institutions to build a better future. The contribution of Brazil is evident with the participation of General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz, who leads MINUSTAH’s military arm. The presence of senior Haitian officials, including Secretary of State Euchère-Luc Joseph, demonstrates the principles of co-responsibility. I believe it is important to remember in the context of this seminar that the international community’s participation in peace operations has changed with the times. Indeed, Canada and Canadians have witnessed this change since our first contribution to peacekeeping in 1956. No single “peacekeeping” mission is alike: Cyprus is not Kosovo; Kosovo is not Haiti; Haiti is not Sudan; and Sudan is not Afghanistan. Our role, and the role of our partners, allies and international organizations, has evolved with changes to the missions themselves and the changing nature of the threat posed to international peace and security. Most importantly, we have changed our approach to international peace operations to reflect our constantly evolving understanding of what constitutes an effective international response to conflict—and how best to lay the foundation for sustainable peace. Haiti is a longstanding important partner for Canada. The relationship between our two countries is built on strong links between peers, on continued support for development and security in Haiti, on the shared use of French as an official language, and on the presence of a large Haitian community in Canada. But what is new in the case of MINUSTAH [United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti] is the fact that with the direct involvement of so many hemispheric partners, Haiti has become a concrete example of both the challenges and the opportunities of strengthening hemispheric cooperation in support of peace, security and development in our own region—issues that you will address in your discussions over the coming days. Haiti is at a critical moment in its history. My government is proud to be working with Brazil and other Latin American countries to help the Haitian government break forever from the destabilizing damage of violence and poverty. Canada welcomes this region’s strong contribution to international reconstruction efforts in Haiti, and particularly that of Brazil, whose leadership within MINUSTAH is critical for addressing the important security challenges that affect our ability to deliver improved living conditions for the Haitian people. Haiti faces development and security challenges of great magnitude, but it can count on the firm support of its friends from all over the continent. While we all recognize that the new Haitian government must lead on the development agenda, this seminar is concrete proof that countries are committed to working with the United Nations, other key donors and the Haitian government to ensure that peace and security provide the needed conditions for development. During her visit to Haiti in 2006, Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, said, “… for Haitians, hope has always been a golden rule of life, even when it was only held together by a thread. Let’s take this thread and trace a new starting point for Haiti.” Indeed, let’s take this thread and weave a new future for Haiti. This undertaking began with close collaborative work to provide the opportunity for the Haitian people to choose their leaders in free and transparent elections. It is to these leaders that the international community—and Haitians, of course—are now looking to provide leadership in determining the way forward for the country. This undertaking now requires the full support of the international community, support that is to a significant extent channelled via the United Nations and its mission in Haiti. As part of our engagement, Canada, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, will provide $5 million to MINUSTAH/UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] to support the Haitian National Police in its reform program. In addition, I am announcing that Canada will also provide $5 million to support the important work done with the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration through the Community Security, Violence Prevention and Small Arms Control Initiative. In particular, this latter initiative will build upon the success achieved by the Brazilian command of MINUSTAH’s military component in tackling gang violence in Port-au-Prince’s worst neighbourhoods and restoring confidence within the population. Canada hopes that these two initiatives will contribute to Haiti’s peace and security and reconstruction efforts. In a complex post-conflict reconstruction effort, restoring peace and security are the ultimate goals. Priorities are many and they all deserve to come first. To succeed, a concerted effort is required by all those involved. UN agencies, civilian police and military forces—acting under a Security Council mandate—bilateral cooperation agencies, and other national and international reconstruction actors must define their work on the basis of an encompassing spirit of coordination, communication, and cooperation. This applies equally to all mission priorities: institutional reform, disaster and humanitarian relief efforts, promoting human rights and democratic institutions, supporting electoral processes, or robustly supporting the enforcement of the rule of law. Indeed, those involved in reconstruction and humanitarian projects in Haiti need to align their priorities with those of the Haitian government and its people in order to ensure that they all become part of a coherent and effective compact. The sustainability of the current Haitian reconstruction process depends on this commitment to coordination, communication, and cooperation. In that spirit, we are here to support the work of MINUSTAH and to take stock of the progress to date of this integrated mission. I understand that you will explore how this UN integrated mission can address the next set of challenges, guided by the next Security Council mandate for MINUSTAH. Mindful that MINUSTAH’s mandate should be renewed in the coming days, your discussions will reflect an imperative to build on past achievements, to strengthen institutional and personal links, and to promote best practices. Assisting in the reconstruction of a country is indeed a matter of great responsibility, requiring a unique savoir-faire. A great Brazilian and an illustrious UN diplomat, the late Sergio Vieira de Mello, was one of the most seasoned global experts in the formulation and implementation of integrated UN efforts to effectively support reconstruction. His distinguished career of more than 30 years of service exemplifies the laudable work the United Nations has done the world over and the cumulative knowledge gathered during all these operations. Sergio de Mello drafted simple guiding principles for a successful and sustainable integration of international reconstruction, humanitarian assistance and institutional reform efforts in post-conflict societies. One principle was a need to maintain a dialogue with all actors and engage on pre-deployment planning. He also stressed that a mission’s Security Council mandate would only be a source of legitimacy for as long as its abstract principles could rapidly translate into tangible improvements for the population in security, peace, and a minimum degree of well-being. Sergio de Mello’s legacy should permeate how the international community continues to face the challenges of this important assignment, and his principles should guide us all. That is why we are here today. In saluting him, I salute the land of his birth, the work of the United Nations Mission in Haiti, and the dedication of all those committed to Haiti’s peace, security and new starting point. Thank you. </body> </html>

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Last Updated: 2006-10-30	Top of Page	Important Notices