Haiti (Hansard, 8 March 2004)

§ Ms Abbott
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government took to support efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Haiti. [159175]

§ Mr. Rammell
The UK, working alongside its EU partners, has been supporting the efforts of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM ), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United Nations to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Haiti. The EU was present at CARICOM discussions with President Aristide in Kingston on 31 January, and on 21 February the EU took part in an international Mission, involving the US, Canada, France, OAS and CARICOM, which met Aristide and members of the opposition in Haiti.
The UK supported UN Security Council Resolution 1529 which authorises the deployment of a Multi-National Interim Force. This force has restored some order to the Haitian capital and the resolution also declares the Security Council's readiness, within three months, to establish and deploy a UN stabilisation force, which will support the continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process.

§ Ms Abbott
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken through their diplomatic mission in the Dominican Republic to influence the situation in Haiti. [159176]

§ Mr. Rammell
The British Embassy in the Dominican Republic has just two UK-based staff, the ambassador and the consul. The ambassador has made regular trips to Haiti over the past 18 months, most recently visiting Port-au-Prince in January. Throughout this period he has kept in close touch with key players in Haiti, including the Organisation of American States, US, EU and French ambassadors and the Prime, Finance and Foreign Ministers. The embassy has excellent working relations with UK and other NGOs based in Haiti, and is working closely with Christian Aid in implementing a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Project Fund-supported project to reduce human rights abuses on the Haiti/Dominican Republic border.
During the current crisis, the embassy managed to secure agreements to evacuate UK nationals on US, French and Canadian aeroplanes, and several UK nationals left the country under such arrangements.

§ Ms Abbott
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on an international intervention in Haiti. [159177]

§ Mr. Rammell
The UK voted for UN Security Council Resolution 1529 which authorised the deployment of a Multi-National Interim Force to Haiti. This resolution, which was unanimously adopted, also declares the Security Council's readiness, within three 1321W months, to establish and deploy a UN stabilisation force that will support the continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process.

§ Ms Abbott
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's position is in the UN Security Council discussions on Haiti. [159178]

§ Mr. Rammell
The US and France, as members of the Friends of Haiti Group, lead discussions on Haiti in the Security Council. The Friends of Haiti tabled Security Council Resolution 1529 on 29 February, which the UK supported, and was unanimously adopted. This resolution authorises the immediate deployment of a Multi-National Interim Force, and declares the Security Council's readiness, within three months, to establish and deploy a UN stabilisation force that will support the continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process.
The UK will continue to take an active part in Security Council discussions on Haiti over the coming months as details of the Stabilisation Force are agreed and remains fully supportive of the efforts of those more closely involved in achieving a political solution to the crisis in Haiti.