ARTICLE - CRITICISMS - UN WITHDRAWAL

CRITICISMS ON THE GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL OF MINUSTAH
(Haiti Libre) -

The Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, had confirmed Monday, September 19, 2011, to President Michel Martelly, his intention to reduce the number [-1,600 military, and -1,150 officers of the formed police units by June 2012] of the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah),to the level before the earthquake. The decision of the Security Council of the UN to reduce the number of peacekeepers rather than put an end to the mandate of the Minustah, is the subject of much criticism and comments.

Brazil
"It is necessary to give a signal that we will not stay in Haiti forever. But we can not get out irresponsibly and give a misleading signal that Brazil has dissociated from the problems of Haiti" said Celso Amorim, Brazilian Minister of Defense, which provides one of the largest contingents of the mission [2,185 military]

Uruguay
"What you have to do is to withdraw the troops completely, because the occupation forces always act against the interests of the country they occupy," said former Uruguayan Congressman William Chifflet, who called South American countries, to undertake a military withdrawal from Haiti.

At its 6631st meeting, the Security Council extended on Friday, October 14, 2011, the mandate of the Minustah, which had expired October 15, 2012 but also expressed its intention to renew the mandate of the mission beyond 2012, stating that future adjustments to the configuration of forces of the Minustah, should be based on the overall security situation on the ground. A decision that has caused several reactions:

Haiti
Deputy Jean Alexis Tolbert Croix-des-Bouquets/Thomazeau - Ansanm nou fò), President of GPR indicated that he will write to Mariano Fernández Amunátegui [Head of the Minustah], to tell him how much he regretted this and challenges the renewal of the mandate of the Minustah for a period of one year. Deputy Alexis also believes that the efforts of the President of the Republic are undermined by this renewal.

Justice and Democracy
"Reducing the military mission will not make a difference for most Haitians. What is important is to significantly increase support for infrastructure and development, "said Brian Concannon, Director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, based in Boston.

Brazilian Center for International Relations
For his part, the diplomat Marcos Azambuja, of the Brazilian Center for International Relations, said that "any mission must have an end...", adding that "Brazil has given a true collaboration and gained experience in the reconstruction process of Peace, which is good for Haiti and for the operation, but, obviously, it is now time to replace our presence, because the mission is accomplished."

Network for Social Justice and Human Rights
"It is important to recognize Haiti's sovereignty and withdraw the troops participating in the occupation," said Maria Luisa Mendonça, Director of the Network for Social Justice and Human Rights, who state that Haiti was the target of military interventions and neo-liberal policies that have devastated its economy and caused poverty and social fragmentation.

The position is shared by many personalities from Latin America, such as Argentine Adolfo Perez Esquivel, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the journalist and writer Juan Gelman, and Brazilian Pedro Casáldiga Bishop Emeritus, who describe the Minustah as an "imperialist" force.