Haiti’s Martelly: Army, Stronger Police Can Eventually Replace MINUSTAH

Above: the UN Security Council delegation talks with President Martelly (Photo: OP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haitian President Michel Martelly hopes the creation of armed forces and a stronger National Police of Haiti can eventually replace the UN peacekeeping force in the country.

Martelly told the visiting UN Security Council delegation that, in order to ensure security in Haiti, it would be necessary to create an army and to strengthen the Haitian National Police.

By doing this, Haiti would be able to ensure the country’s security and to replace what would be a “security vacuum” following MINUSTAH’s eventual departure, he said.

A UN Security Council delegation currently on a visit to the country.

The UN group, which met with Prime Minister Garry Conille on Monday, aims to assess the political, economic and humanitarian solution in Haiti, its level of security and Martelly’s implementation of relevant resolutions of MINUSTAH’s mandate.

Martelly additionally asked that the UN delete a phrase in MINUSTAH’s mandate referring to the situation in Haiti as being a threat to the region, despite progress to date.

According to Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, the Security Council has promised to remove the reference at the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate in October.

The two sides also discussed various measures Martelly’s administration had implemented, including free education for 1.1 million children, the continued effort to relocate those displaced by the earthquake and a plan to eliminate hunger in Haiti by 2025.

Mariano Fernandez, the special representative of the UN in Haiti, said 2012 would be a “very good year” for Haiti.

The UN delegation will leave the country Thursday.