ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Friday called on China to use its vote in the United Nations (UN) Security Council to support a call for the mobilization of an international security force to restore peace and stability in Haiti.
Addressing the Caribbean-China consultation here, Skerrit, who is also the chairman of the 16-member regional integration grouping, Caribbean Community (Caricom), that also includes Haiti, said he has made Haiti a top priority during his chairmanship.
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“As you’re aware, Haiti is experiencing a security and humanitarian crisis, a crisis which requires the care and concern of all nations in order to assure a likely solution to the crisis,” Skerrit told the meeting that is being attended by China’s and foreign ministers of Caricom countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing.
He said that the issue of the international security force would require a UN Security Council resolution.
“We are therefore requesting the fullest support and cooperation of China as a permanent member of the Security Council. In advancing this resolution,” Skerrit said, noting that China has provided in the past steadfast support for all of the resolutions on Haiti.
“We also note that you are the second largest contributor to the peacekeeping force in the UN Security Council,” Skerrit said, acknowledging that some of China’s peacekeeping forces had died while on duty.
“…some of your comrades even died as a show of your commitment to the well-being of Haiti, and therefore we call on China … to provide the necessary support to assist the country,” he said, adding “and I have no doubt that our friends…will provide that level of support that Haiti requires from us.
“So we’ll continue to work together, as Caricom has decided to lead the charge in finding a solution and mobilising global efforts towards assisting our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” Skerrit added.
Caricom leaders at their just concluded summit in Trinidad and Tobago have expressed “grave concern over the deep humanitarian, security and governance crisis,” in Haiti.
“In that regard, they noted the need for the immediate creation of a Humanitarian and Security Stabilization Corridor under the mandate of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution, and agreed to seek support from international partners to help finance its establishment and the strengthening of security in Haiti,” they said in a statement.
The statement said that Caricom governments are of the view that approaches should be made to Rwanda, Kenya and other willing international partners to support the strengthening of the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the establishment of the corridor.
In her address, the assistant Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Hua Chunying, said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping visit to the Caribbean and “our comprehensive corporate partnership over the decade thanks to the strategic guidance and commitment of our leaders. China and the Caribbean have remained dedicated to building a strong China-Caribbean community with a shared future and have set a shining example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development”.
She said China and the Caribbean have joined hands in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and achieved new outcomes in exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
“For example…President Xi has stayed in touch with Caribbean leaders through meetings, phone calls, and letters, setting the course for China Caribbean relations, and we have established a strategic partnership with Jamaica and a strategic and cooperative partnership with Suriname,” she added.
