Pat Breen
Question:71 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an account of the political situation in Haiti; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14521/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
Questions (85)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, President Aristide left office on 29 February 2004. I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave the House on 31 March last, in which I outlined the political progress that had been made in Haiti in the first month following Mr Aristide's departure. Since then, the country has continued a gradual return to peace and stability, although some unrest remains outside the capital of Porte au Prince, in areas where governmental institutions are largely absent.
The 3,400 strong Multinational Interim Force, MIF, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1529 of 29 February 2004 for a period of three months, continues to play an important role. With effect from 1 June 2004, the MIF will be replaced by a United Nations Stabilisation Mission, MINUSTAH, authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 1542, which was adopted on 30 April 2004. MINUSTAH is expected to comprise some 6,700 troops and some 1,600 police.
Efforts are continuing to establish democracy and the rule of law. The interim Government which was sworn in on 17 March last has announced a timetable for elections, with presidential elections expected to take place in late 2005, with a view to the inauguration of a new President in February 2006. An eight member Provisional Electoral Council, charged with the task of overseeing the electoral process, was sworn in on 4 May 2004.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is examining the mobilisation of approximately $110 million for emergency programmes and rehabilitation projects in Haiti under the eighth European Development Fund. The Commission's delegation in Porte au Prince has been reinforced with five additional experts to facilitate and accelerate the identification of Haiti's emergency assistance needs.
In addition, the EU is monitoring developments with a view to assessing whether conditions are right for the restoration of aid, which was partially suspended under Article 96 of the Contonou Agreement following allegations of fraud in the parliamentary elections of 2000. This will be dependent on the degree of progress towards democratisation.
Question No. 72 answered with QuestionNo. 39.