S/PV.3293 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Canada and Haiti, in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Longchamp (Haiti) took a place at the Council table; Mr. Malone (Canada) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/26586, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Canada, France, the United States of America and Venezuela. I should like to draw the attention of members of the Council to document S/26587, which contains the text of a letter dated 15 October 1993 from the President of the Republic of Haiti addressed to the Secretary-General. The first speaker is the representative of Haiti, on whom I now call. Mr. LONGCHAMP (Haiti) (interpretation from French): I should like first of all to congratulate you, Sir, on your accession to the presidency of the Council for this month and to wish you success in discharging your mandate. The circumstances compelling the Council to meet today are extremely grave. As all are aware, last Thursday, 14 October, the Malval Government’s Minister of Justice, Mr. Guy Malary, while in the company of three other individuals, was assassinated by a commando group that riddled his car with bullets before leaving the scene calmly and without fear of apprehension. That crime revolted the Government and threw the population into a state of consternation, and it shows clearly that there is no longer any limit to violence in Haiti. Mr. Guy Malary was an eminent jurist, a confirmed democrat and a true patriot who wanted the well-being of his country. He was profoundly committed to the noble cause of a better Haiti for the young generation, in particular for his five-year-old son. Since his appointment to office he had discharged admirably the immense task of bringing to the Haitian people an effective judicial system within the rule of law that my Government wishes to install. Since the signing of the Governors Island Agreement, groups of armed civilians, commonly known as "attachés" - who, by all accounts, are auxiliary personnel of the Armed Forces and the police - have been waging a terror campaign to intimidate anyone who in any way, from within or without the country, wants to help restore democracy in Haiti. The assassination of Minister Malary is very revealing of that sector’s systematic opposition to the transition process and to the return of President Aristide. Minister Malary was precisely the person charged with presenting to the Haitian Parliament a bill on the separation of the Police and the Armed Forces and on the establishment of the future police force of which he was to take control, as well as on the reform of the judicial system. This act and those responsible for it should be condemned in the sternest terms by the international community. The international community must make it clear beyond all doubt to the perpetrators of that crime that it is determined to carry out to the end the process of restoring democracy. A handful of criminals cannot be allowed to defy with impunity the international community and hold hostage an entire people that desires to recover its rights and its freedom. So that Mr. Malary’s death will not be in vain and so that the long list of victims of repression will be closed out, it is important that the Council monitor strictly the application of measures reimposed under resolution 873 (1993). The more these measures are respected, the faster and surer will be the results, which will put an end to the suffering of a people that has already made so many sacrifices for the sake of democracy. The international community must bring pressure to bear so that all the provisions of the Governors Island Agreement and the New York Pact will be complied with and so that Haiti will finally regain peace, which will allow its people to live in security and its sons and daughters to stop paying with their lives, as did Mr. Guy Malary, for their dream of seeing democracy and the rule of law flourish.

I thank the representative of Haiti for his kind words addressed to me. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote. There being no objection, it is so decided. I shall first call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting. (Mr. Longchamp, Haiti) Mrs. ALBRIGHT (United States of America): We meet today in a spirit of sadness, anger and determination. Five days ago Haiti’s military leaders violated a solemn Agreement reached at Governors Island last July to resolve peacefully the governmental crisis in their country. Armed demonstrators acting with police and military support created an intolerable situation in Port-au-Prince. Canadian and United States troops, on a United Nations mission, could not enter Haiti under those conditions. This personnel, sent in peace at the request of the Haitian Government, was not armed for combat and had no desire for confrontation. In the absence of the secure environment repeatedly promised by the Haitian military, we refused to put the personnel ashore. Because Haiti’s military leaders violated the Governors Island Agreement, this Council voted unanimously on 13 October to reimpose mandatory economic sanctions, including a ban on shipments of petroleum and petroleum products to Haiti. In demonstration of our continued desire for cooperation rather than confrontation, we also extended to Haiti’s military an invitation and an opportunity to reconsider the fateful course upon which it had embarked. Two days ago our invitation met with gunfire. Guy Malary, Haiti’s courageous new Minister of Justice, was murdered in broad daylight and in cold blood. This was an act of profound cowardice. The individuals responsible for this heinous crime betrayed their country and their countrymen. Today, for the second time in four days, the Security Council meets to restate its commitment to the Governors Island Agreement and to the peaceful return of elected President Jean-Bertrand-Aristide. Together we have recognized the need to act promptly and firmly. The draft resolution we are voting for today calls upon all States to cooperate in ensuring that no ships arrive in Haiti in violation of the economic sanctions previously adopted. We understand with sorrow that this course, chosen not by us but by Haiti’s military leaders, may cause additional suffering to the vast majority of Haitian citizens who desire only peace, freedom and economic opportunity. It is contrary to our every desire that such hardships should be imposed. But we take solace in our knowledge that the purpose of these sanctions is ultimately to relieve hardship and to liberate Haiti from the stranglehold now inflicted by a small group of wilful, misguided men. The economic sanctions which this body is now determined to enforce will not enter into effect until Monday. We call upon Haiti’s military leaders to take immediate steps this weekend to reaffirm their commitment to the Governors Island Agreement. There is still time for them to heed the will of their own people and the will of the international community. The course of events in Haiti in recent days has been deeply disappointing to us all. Those responsible have done a grave disservice to themselves and to their country. This confrontation was not necessary. This killing is without purpose. The suffering has gone on too long. But our sadness and our shock only add to our resolve and to the resolve of free people everywhere to end the crisis in Haiti and to do so in a manner that will lay the groundwork for social and economic progress, safeguarded by democratic rule. Finally, let me say this to those who continue to thwart the return of democracy to the troubled nation of Haiti. After today’s action by the Security Council there should be no doubt about the determination of the United States and the community of nations. My Government will use its diplomatic and military power to see (Mrs. Albright, United States) that economic sanctions work and to ensure that these sanctions serve to shield the flickering flame of Haitian democracy. Mr. OLHAYE (Djibouti): Along with the international community, I am sure, my delegation has reacted with both shock and sadness to the violent intransigence of the Haitian junta. We had held the desperate hope that the disintegration of that unfortunate country would end with the signing of the Governors Island Agreement just three months ago. There can be no doubt, however, that, with the public execution two days ago of the Minister of Justice of the democratically elected Government of President Aristide, the junta is prepared not only to defy the Haitian people but the entire world. Coming as this event does directly on the heels of the refusal to allow the United Nations training team to disembark and deploy, it would appear that the whole military and police apparatus in Haiti is above and beyond any law or legal control. We can but totally agree with Prime Minister Robert Malval when he laments that: "We have the legitimate power; they have the force. But let us face it. Where are we going to get security?" That is pointedly the same question we face in this Council, for in Haiti today there is no security for members of the transitional Government, whose lives are now shown to be in serious jeopardy, or for United Nations military and police personnel, who are confined and prepared to flee at any time, or even for the vast majority of Haitians who believe in and support the democratic rule of law. The head of the junta apparently claims to be willing to step down, as he agreed in the Governors Island Agreement, if Parliament passes a suitable amnesty, yet we find this same institution deliberately hampered in its deliberations to consider such a motion. (Mrs. Albright, United States) The ground has been laid, it seems, for a rejection of both the terms and the spirit of the accord and for the military and police to continue their stranglehold on and domination of this desperate country. Hope for continued progress in restoring democracy is being undone, and again the resolve of the Council and the international community is being tested. Consequently, we see no alternative but to reimpose the sanctions we so recently suspended, as we did on Wednesday with the support of President Aristide. Given the continuing oppression and killing, we can only conclude the junta fails to appreciate the depth of our resentment at their persistent and flagrant violations. Therefore, my delegation totally supports the additional embargo measures proposed in the draft resolution before the Council today. If the junta is prepared quickly to show its defiance, the Council must likewise demonstrate that it is ready to raise the cost. Consequently, my delegation welcomes the deployment of naval vessels by the United States to Haitian waters. This will buttress the capacity of the United Nations to interdict all shipping bound to and from Haiti to prevent any sanctions-busting. We have no doubt that this step will encourage all members to cooperate in this endeavour to their fullest extent. We highly laud the steadfast determination of Mr. Dante Caputo and his aides to stay the course in the face of pervasive risks to their lives. In the end, though, we are saddened by the necessity for such measures, for undoubtedly they will most heavily affect the Haitian people who can least bear it. If reports that the junta has anticipated these steps and is well supplied with oil and arms are true, we can expect a lengthy confrontation before the situation is reduced to a totally unacceptable level. This will only call for additional and stronger Council measures. But the junta and the (Mr. Olhaye, Djibouti) police must have no illusions; they must understand that we are going to take the steps necessary to restore democracy and finally end the terrible ordeal of the people of Haiti. Mr. TAYLHARDAT (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish): The international community has an irrevocable commitment to democracy in Haiti. This Organization and the Organization of American States (OAS) facilitated the electoral process of December 1990 and of 1991, which enabled the people of Haiti, for the first time in their history, democratically and freely to elect those governing them. The universal condemnation of the coup d’état of September 1991, which frustrated the hopes for democracy that had emerged from those elections, and the successive efforts by the United Nations and the OAS to restore democratic order in Haiti have been made clear by the various resolutions adopted by both organizations. The commitment made to Haiti by the international community would appear to be on the verge of coming to naught as a result of the behaviour of the military and police authorities of Haiti, who, in open defiance of the United Nations, continues to promote and encourage acts of harassment and aggression against the legitimate Government of Haiti and against the international community, as represented by the OAS and United Nations missions in Haiti. The assassination of the Minister of Justice of Haiti and of those who were with him is yet another step in the escalation of violence going on in Haiti to obstruct international action - violence to which the military authorities, and more specifically those who control the police force in that country, remain indifferent and complaisant. The threats against the United Nations officials - in particular against the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Dante Caputo - and the demonstrations in the capital show that the (Mr. Olhaye, Djibouti) military and police authorities continue to be opposed to fulfilling the commitments solemnly entered into in the Governors Island Agreement, and have pledged themselves to prevent their fulfilment. The recent events in Haiti and the general insecurity prevailing in that country, which have prevented the deployment of the United Nations Mission and led to the evacuation of international personnel already there, constitutes open contempt for the will of the international community, as expressed in Council resolutions, in its efforts to restore democratic order and its determination to ensure the conditions for the consolidation of democratic legality in that country. Today we find ourselves faced with grave new developments. They suggest the impossibility of translating into reality the commitment to ensure the return of President Aristide on 30 October and jeopardize the entire international effort to restore democracy in Haiti. (Mr. Taylhardat, Venezuela) In the face of these developments we have no alternative but to exercise the options afforded by the Charter. In so doing the Council adopted resolution 873 (1993), thus showing the international community’s resolute determination. The draft resolution we are considering today is aimed at complementing that resolution and at ensuring its effective implementation. For these reasons Venezuela, together with the other countries members of the group of "Friends of the Secretary-General for Haiti", is submitting for the approval of the Security Council draft resolution S/26586, which, we trust, will be unanimously adopted as further confirmation of the international community’s resolve. In conclusion, I should like to express utter repudiation and condemnation of the assassination of the Minister of Justice for Haiti. From this forum we convey our condolences to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to the lawful Government of Haiti, and to the late Minister’s widow and family. Finally, we call upon the Haitian authorities to identify and punish those responsible for this crime and to take effective measures to avoid a repetition of such abhorrent assassinations, the ultimate purpose of which is obviously to terrorize political leaders and the public and to frustrate United Nations action to promote democracy in Haiti. Mr. YAÑEZ BARNUEVO (Spain) (interpretation from Spanish): In recent days the international community has been deeply shaken by the latest episode of violence perpetrated by forces opposed to the restoration of democratic order in Haiti, when groups of armed civilians, in open defiance of the United Nations, assassinated the Minister of Justice of the lawful Government of Haiti, (Mr. Taylhardat, Venezuela) Mr. François-Guy Malary and other individuals. This grave, condemnable development is, unfortunately, part and parcel of the virtual refusal of the military authorities and those responsible for security in Haiti to comply with Security Council resolutions and Agreements they themselves had entered into for the restoration of constitutional normalcy in Haiti. The total impunity with which groups of armed civilians are sowing terror among the people at large, thanks to the complicity of the de facto authorities, reveals that the latter still intend to test the limits of the international community’s patience. The draft resolution before the Council is based on Chapters VII and VIII of the Charter; its sole purpose is to ensure the effective enforcement of the embargo measures adopted under Security Council resolutions 841 (1993) and 873 (1993). We wish to emphasize that those measures are not aimed at the people or the lawful Government of Haiti, whose President, Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, has requested the Council to ask States Members of the United Nations to take the necessary action to implement those measures. Indeed, given the exceptional present circumstances, this draft resolution is aimed at a minority that are oppressing the people of Haiti and cynically standing in the way of compliance with the Agreements to which, just a few short months ago, they lent their assent. In so doing, that minority is showing contempt not only for the majority will of the people of Haiti itself, but for the international community as well. My delegation stresses the continuing validity of the (Mr. Yañez Barnuevo, Spain) statement by the President of the Security Council issued on 17 September last, in which the Council put the de facto authorities on notice that they would be held responsible for the security and safety of United Nations personnel in Haiti. Today we firmly reiterate that warning. I take this occasion to pay tribute to the work done in Haiti by Mr. Dante Caputo and by the staff of the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS), who have shown valour and selflessness in the service of the mission entrusted to them. Last week the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Mrs. Claudette Werleigh, in her statement to the General Assembly, made an appeal to the international community to keep up the pressure on the forces thwarting the Haitian people’s aspirations for democracy. The Security Council is today demonstrating that this appeal has not gone unheard and that the international community remains committed to restoring democracy and constitutional order to Haiti, under conditions that would favour national reconciliation among all those truly prepared in good faith to join this process. For all these reasons, the delegation of Spain will vote in favour of the draft resolution submitted by Canada, France, the United States, and Venezuela. Mr. JESUS (Cape Verde): My country fully shares the disappointment of the Council and the world at the deliberate failure of the Armed Forces of Haiti to abide by their obligations under the Governors Island Agreement. After much suffering inflicted upon the Haitian people as a result of the coup d’état that deposed democratically elected President Aristide, and after great effort on the part of the international community to restore the democratic regime and bring (Mr. Yañez Barnuevo, Spain) stability to that country, we are still faced with a recalcitrant group of people that insist on ruling the country militarily, using violence and killings and plunging the Haitian people into an even more desperate situation. The Council should make it unambiguously clear to the illegal military and police rulers of Haiti that they will be held responsible for the killings committed to keep them in power. We regret deeply that the United Nations Mission in Haiti has been prevented from carrying out its mandate. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Dante Caputo for his personal commitment to the restoration of democracy in Haiti. We admire his courage and that of all the military personnel responsible for his safety. The illegal rulers of Haiti must know that acts of intimidation and wanton violence, which they have regularly used to maintain themselves in power - such as the recent assassination of the Minister of Justice - will only strengthen the determination of the Council and of the whole world to restore the democratic regime in Haiti and bring the elected President back to power. This determination on the part of the Security Council has been shown by the reimposition of sanctions this week. Today we are taking further steps by adopting measures to monitor and ensure compliance with and implementation of the sanctions imposed. My delegation could not agree more with such a decision of the Council.

I now put to the vote the draft resolution contained in document S/26586. (Mr. Jesus, Cape Verde) A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Djibouti, France, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 875 (1993). I shall now call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting. Mr. MERIMEE (France) (interpretation from French): The unanimous adoption of this resolution, which strengthens the measures contained in resolution 873 (1993), adopted barely three days ago, attests to the Security Council’s unswerving determination to secure full implementation of the Governor’s Island Agreement. Those measures are part of a clear-cut political strategy that will also form the basis of the international community’s reactions to subsequent developments in the situation in Haiti. France was deeply moved by the base crime perpetrated against Mr. Guy Malary, Minister of Justice, who had loyally served the legal Government. It strongly condemns those responsible for that assassination as well as for any other violent act. A process of peace and restoration of democracy in a country cannot be held hostage to a few armed individuals. My Government would recall that it is incumbent upon the military authorities to restore public order, to ensure the safety of members of the legal Government headed Mr. Robert Malval and to make it possible for the United Nations Mission in Haiti to be deployed without delay. This is not the first time that the Security Council has implemented measures calling for the use of maritime monitoring of the implementation of sanctions. In our view, those rules of engagement, which have proved their effectiveness, must be based on established rules. France is of the view that the withdrawal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Police Force and of the Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti must occur immediately, in keeping with items 7 and 8 of the Governor’s Island Agreement. My Government will continue to take steps to help to bring about the return of President Aristide on 30 October and the full restoration of the rule of law in Haiti. Mr. ERDÖS (Hungary) (interpretation from French): Hungary voted in favour of resolution 875 (1993) on Haiti and, in light of the very serious and urgent turn of events in that Caribbean country, we support its prompt implementation. The measures contained in the resolution are a logical step in the policies the Security Council is pursuing with regard to the military authorities in Haiti. We consider it to be intolerable that that regime is able to continue with total impunity to defy the relevant resolutions of the Council and to obstruct implementation of the will of the international community. We are particularly pleased with the firmness with which the Council has taken action to see to it that its own resolutions are respected. We feel that the same firmness and commitment are also required in other conflict situations in order to preserve the credibility of our actions and to see to it that our resolutions are not ignored by those - whoever they may be - to whom our warnings are directed. Hungary hopes that the recent position taken by the Security Council with regard to the crisis in Haiti, including today’s action, will promote an effective and integral implementation of the Governors Island Agreement, the return of President Aristide to Port-au-Prince and the restoration of democracy in Haiti. Mr. LI Zhaoxing (China) (interpretation from Chinese): The Chinese delegation is deeply concerned with the recent developments in Haiti. We have taken note of the unswerving efforts made by the Secretary-General, his Special Representative and the Organization of American States (OAS) for the political settlement of the Haitian question and hope that these efforts will help curb and end the recent recurring violence in Haiti. China has all along supported the peace process in Haiti and urged the Haitian parties concerned to cooperate fully with the international community and the United Nations, to adopt forthwith practical and effective measures and to implement strictly the Governors Island Agreement, the New York Pact and the relevant Security Council resolutions in order to create conditions for an early restoration of peace and stability in Haiti. The Security Council, in handling the Haitian question, should fully solicit and respect the views of the OAS and the Latin American countries and bring their role into full play. Given the unique and exceptional situation now prevailing in Haiti, and in light of the formal request of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, supported by the Latin American countries and the OAS, the Chinese delegation voted in favour of the resolution just adopted. The measures authorized in the resolution are special actions taken under the unique and exceptional circumstances in Haiti, and they should not establish a precedent. We always hold that all international disputes should be settled by peaceful means and oppose the use or threat of force. The fact that we voted in favour of the resolution does not mean any change in our position. Meanwhile, in carrying out measures authorized by the resolution, countries should take only actions commensurate with the specific situations prevailing at the time, strengthen coordination with the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative and keep the Security Council informed on a regular basis. Mr. HATANO (Japan): This past week has a been a profoundly discouraging one. Japan condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent tragic events in Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s military rulers and the thugs and assassins they recruit must be made to realize that they are fighting a losing battle. Their actions will only delay, but never prevent, the restoration of (Mr. Li Zhaoxing,(China) democracy in Haiti, and it is particularly important for the Haitian people to know that the international community will not abandon them in their struggle to regain their fundamental rights and democratic freedoms. Japan believes that this objective will be advanced by the resolution we have just adopted. Mr. VORONTSOV (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The dangerous turn of events in Haiti is a source of serious concern for the Russian Federation. The sharp deterioration of the situation in that country is the result of the course taken by the leadership of the military and security forces in Port-au-Prince in opposition to the evolution of the democratic process, the restoration of the legitimate civilian Government and the return of the nationally elected President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Since their allowing the disruption on 11 October of the disembarkation at Port-au-Prince of the advance contingent of the United Nations Mission in Haiti, the military authorities in that country have followed a course of direct resistance to United Nations efforts to restore democracy there. Security Council resolution 873 (1993) of 13 October on the reimposition of economic sanctions should have been a serious warning to the military authorities in Port-au-Prince. However, following the assassination of the Minister of Justice of the legal Government of President Jean-Bertrand-Aristide on 14 October, the campaign of pressure upon and threats against the international personnel in Haiti and against the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Dante Caputo, have demonstrated that the Haitian military authorities are clearly challenging the international community. (Mr. Hatano, Japan) (Mr. Vorontsov, Russian Federation) In those circumstances the resolution we have just adopted is a step essential to the expression of the Security Council’s determination to complete the political settlement in Haiti, to ensure implementation of its previous decisions and to realize the international community’s efforts to settle the protracted crisis in Haiti. (Mr. Vorontsov, Russian Federation) This step is aimed above all at preventing an exacerbation of the situation in Haiti, which threatens to deteriorate even further in a country where generally recognized human rights and constitutional law and order are being grossly violated. It is high time the military authorities there understood that the Security Council will not allow this cynical challenge to the international community, represented by the United Nations, to go unanswered. In calling upon the present military authorities to return to a strict implementation of the terms of the Governors Island Agreement, meeting the true prerequisites for a speedy restoration of democracy to Haiti, we demand the immediate removal of the obstacles to the deployment of the United Nations Mission and the establishment of all the conditions necessary for the Mission to begin its work. Mr. MARKER (Pakistan): Pakistan voted in favour of resolution 875 (1993) as a matter of principle and conviction. We also feel a sense of regret that the tightening of sanctions has been necessary, but are convinced that the course pursued by the Security Council is correct. The Haitian army and police, who have usurped power, reneged on solemn agreements and thwarted the course of democracy, as well as the will of the international community, must know that their cruel and inhuman policies will not be allowed to continue. The Security Council remains firm in the discharge of its responsibilities. At the same time, we salute the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General, Mr. Dante Caputo, in his brave, persistent and valuable efforts to bring about peace in Haiti.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Brazil. For Brazil it is particularly distressing to witness the accelerated deterioration of the situation in Haiti, a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Group of States. It is hard to express the great sorrow we experience at the recurring incidents of violence which tell a sad but, we hope, not irreversible story of missed opportunities for democracy in Haiti. The Governors Island Agreement and the transition process embodied in it brought us renewed bright hopes for the future of the Haitian people. We had indeed expected that the military and police authorities would understand the clear message sent by the international community and by the Security Council. Unfortunately, that renewed hope was soon to be frustrated by events - tragic events - involving to a large extent the responsibility of those authorities. The activities of armed groups of civilians, carried out with complete impunity, have created in Haiti a climate of terror and violence which over the last few days has escalated in a way that has shocked the whole international community. We express our recognition of the continued dedication and courage of the Special Envoy of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Organization of American States, Mr. Dante Caputo, whose efforts, under particularly difficult circumstances, continue to be crucial. The Security Council has already expressed its outrage at the killing of supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Three days ago the Council condemned the acts of intimidation that prevented the disembarkation of a United Nations contingent in Port-au-Prince and decided to reimpose the sanctions measures provided for in resolution 841 (1993), aimed at bringing the Haitian military authorities to compliance with the Governors Island Agreement. It is with great and deep sorrow that we now mourn the late Minister of Justice, Mr. Guy Malary, assassinated in a cowardly way just two days ago. It was thus out of grave concern and a sense of urgency impressed on us by the seriousness of the latest events in Haiti that, yesterday and today, we have faced the need to address a unique and exceptional situation with equally exceptional and unique measures, particularly the authorization for Member States to use measures that may include the halting of inward maritime traffic, with the exclusive purpose of enforcing the sanctions related to oil and arms established in resolutions 841 (1993) and 873 (1993). That uniqueness and exceptional character is not only a result of the extraordinarily deplorable political and humanitarian situation that now prevails in Haiti. It is embodied, above all, in the fact that the action decided upon today by the Security Council was taken in response to a formal and explicit request by the legitimate Government of Haiti for the strengthening of the provisions of resolution 873 (1993). It is the view of the Brazilian Government that that request, which is referred to in the preamble of the resolution just adopted, was essential for the Security Council to act as it did. In addition to that, the sui generis nature of the resolution adopted today is also reflected in the fact that the measures which it is intended to enforce emanated originally from the Organization of American States, which has recommended to the United Nations that it give mandatory effect to the sanctions adopted at the regional level. Under those circumstances, after carefully pondering the various implications of the situation in Haiti, Brazil decided to lend its support to the resolution adopted today, on the (The President) understanding that it does not and will not constitute a precedent for the work of the United Nations. The Latin American and Caribbean region rightly takes pride in a diplomatic tradition that is based on a permanent concern for the peaceful solution of problems and the non-use of force in international relations. Brazil highly values that tradition, which we have no doubt will continue to flourish in the years to come. The decision taken today can be understood only as a means to ensure the strict implementation of the sanctions measures previously imposed by this Council with relation to the supply to Haiti of petroleum, petroleum products, arms and related matériel. It is thus clear that the authorization given in operative paragraph 1 of the resolution adopted today is restricted in scope, space and time by the clearly limited purpose which constitutes its raison d’être and is intended to have effect only until those sanctions measures are suspended or terminated. The Brazilian Government hopes that this outcome will be achieved, sooner rather than later, on the basis of the early restoration of democracy to Haiti. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meeting rose at 11.20 a.m. (The President)