S/PV.3866 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Haiti, in which he requests 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 that representative 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.

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 the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti, document S/1998/144. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council recalls its resolution 1141 (1997) of 28 November 1997 and welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH) of 20 February 1998 (S/1998/144). “The Security Council commends the achievements of the Secretary-General's Representative in Haiti, the United Nations staff, and the MIPONUH civilian police officers in Haiti. It notes with appreciation the important contributions made by the “The Security Council welcomes the progress made by the Haitian people towards the establishment of a durable democratic and constitutional system. It also welcomes the sustained improvement in security and stability in Haiti. The Security Council agrees with the Secretary-General in his assessment of the Haitian National Police (HNP) as expressed in his recent report (S/1998/144). It also welcomes the significant progress made by the HNP as mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General and expresses confidence that MIPONUH's activities will continue to build on the achievements of previous United Nations missions in Haiti and to further the professional development of the HNP. The Security Council expresses the hope that HNP achievements will be matched by progress in other areas, including the development of a functioning judicial system, and in this regard, recognizes the importance of judicial reform. “The Security Council reaffirms that further assistance to the Haitian National Police, should it be needed, should be provided with the full support of the international community through United Nations specialized agencies and programmes, and through international and regional organizations and by interested Member States. “The Security Council reaffirms also that the people and Government of Haiti bear the ultimate responsibility for national reconciliation, the maintenance of a secure and stable environment, the administration of justice, and the reconstruction of their country. It emphasizes the importance of Haiti's continuing to settle its contentious issues peacefully and democratically. It expresses the view that a prompt solution of these issues in Haiti will facilitate economic development and the provision of international assistance. It fully supports the Secretary-General's appeal to Haitian authorities and political leaders to resolve Haiti's political impasse so the country can move forward and welcomes the current efforts undertaken to this end. “The Security Council stresses that it is of the utmost importance that the next parliamentary and local elections in Haiti be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner in order to allow the “The Security Council recognizes that economic rehabilitation and reconstruction constitute the major tasks facing the Haitian Government and people and stresses that a sustained commitment by the international community and the international financial institutions, as well as the relevant United Nations bodies, to assist and support the economic, social and institutional development in Haiti is indispensable for “The Security Council will remain seized of this matter.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1998/8. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.