Pressure is mounting on the European Union to 'fly the flag' in Haiti, with the country seemingly becoming a test case for showcasing the bloc's revamped institutions under the Lisbon Treaty.Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, and has experienced a lot of political violence throughout its history. In February 2004, an armed rebellion forced the resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. A provisional government was put in place, with security provided by MINUSTAH, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti. Réné Préval, the current president, was elected in 2006. Scientists said the earthquake which hit Haiti on 12 January was the strongest on Earth since 1770. The damage was high, as the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude epicentre was just 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince and its two million inhabitants. The number of deaths is yet to be determined, with estimations of 300,000 frequently cited. On 24 January the Haitian government announced that 150,000 bodies had already been buried in mass graves in Port-au-Prince alone.
The widespread devastation included vital infrastructure, including every hospital in the capital, air, sea and land communications, and telecommunications. The initial foreign military presence comprised MINUSTAH and several US Coast Guard vessels, followed by larger ships, helicopter carriers and a floating hospital. French military vessels also docked in Port-au-Prince. In total, the US Navy lists its resources in the area as "17 ships, 48 helicopters and 12 fixed-wing aircraft" in addition to 10,000 sailors and Marines. US President Barack Obama appointed former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to help raise funds for Haiti's recovery. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Haiti on 16 January. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that his country, together with the US, Brazil, Canada and others, would hold a conference on the reconstruction of Haiti.
EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Karel de Gucht was in Port-au-Prince on 21 January. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton met on the same day in Washington with Hillary Clinton. Both discussed the situation in Haiti, where in Clinton's words "one of the greatest rescue-and-relief efforts in the history of the world is underway". EU foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels today for a two-day meeting during which Europe's response to the situation in Haiti will be high on the agenda. Herman Van Rompuy, the EU's new permanent president, has asked heads of state and government to discuss the situation at their informal summit on 11 February.
Euractiv:
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment