Symonette Courts Support For Haiti:
By Tameka Lundy -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette has urged the international community to maintain the United Nations Mission in Haiti as a critical part of keeping that country on a progressive path.

Haiti, devastated by poverty and ravaged by years of instability, remains one of the most crucial matters for members of the Caribbean Community. Countries in the region have been backing the piecemeal steps taken to make positive changes.

"The United Nations Mission in Haiti continues to play a vital role in this process and The Bahamas supports the call for that mission to be maintained so as to consolidate the gains made to date and this places our CARICOM sister country on a firm and lasting path to sustainable development, peace, security and democracy," he told the United Nations General Assembly.

"We urge the international community to support the people of Haiti in this quest."

Successive Bahamian governments have been concerned about Haiti’s internal dilemma, especially since a side effect has been an exodus of Haitian nationals bent on securing better economic and social opportunities elsewhere.

Many of them have ended up in The Bahamas and the United States.

In recent times, the local momentum has gathered steam for increased synergistic business relations between The Bahamas and Haiti. Last week, members of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce traveled to Hispaniola to explore such links.

Mr. Symonette told his international counterparts that despite Haiti’s proud history, challenges have beset it for generations.

"Haiti’s return to democratic order last year was especially welcomed and we celebrate the strides Haiti is making along the difficult and arduous road to peace, security and development," he said. "We heartily commend [Haitian] President [Rene] Preval and his administration for their stewardship of this demanding process."

President Preval told the U.N. General Assembly last week his country is on its way to escaping the stigma of being labeled a failed state because of its recent economic and security gains.

Massive international aid pumped into Haiti has proven pivotal in helping the country turn the tide on economic and political grounds.

Mr. Preval said that real growth has returned to the Haitian economy after more than 10 years of decline in the gross national product, and that his government has patiently worked to restore a climate of peace in the country's turbulent political life.

Minister Symonette sought yesterday to draw the connection between Haiti’s internal affairs and the impact they could represent for The Bahamas.

"Haiti lies a mere ninety miles from the southern shores of The Bahamas; its economic and political situation can and does have very tangible repercussions for us," he said.

"Each year, The Bahamas is challenged by the arrival of thousands of illegal migrants from Haiti who, by perilous means, journey to our shores in search of a better way of life. Ensuring that justice and democracy prevail in Haiti, therefore, redounds positively not only for the people of Haiti but also for The Bahamas and indeed for the entire region."

Before his U.N. address, Mr. Preval attended a meeting of an informal support group for Haiti that included diplomats from the United States, the European Union, the Organization of American States and the U.N.

3 October 2007