Foreign and Military Affairs

China calls on help in Haiti presidential election

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-21 09:14

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations and the international society should help Haiti seek a proper solution for the presidential election crisis, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Min said here Thursday.

Addressing an opening meeting on Haiti at the Security Council, Wang said it is of great importance for Haiti's long-term stability and reconstruction to hold a free, fair and credible election.

"China calls on all parties in Haiti to put the peace and stability of the country and welfare of the people in first place, unite together and discard violence and incitement, so as to solve the disputes through negotiations and make sure the election reflect the will of the Haiti people," said Wang, who is the deputy permanent representative of the Chinese mission.

Thousands of protesters last month rampaged through the streets of Port-au-Prince, the capital, accusing the ruling government coalition of rigging the results, after tallies of the November 28 first round released by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) put former first lady Mirlande Manigat and outgoing President Rene Preval's party candidate Jude Celestin in first and second place, qualifying for the run-off.

The presidential runoff, originally scheduled for January 16, has been postponed as results of the recount have not been announced. No new date has yet been set.

Wang also called for more support to Haiti's recovery and reconstruction efforts one year after the earthquake, as well as its pandemic outbreak of cholera, urging countries to implement their assistance pledges as soon as possible.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, known by its French acronym MINUSTAH, has exerted important efforts on safeguarding Haiti's peace and security, said Wang.

Under current circumstances, the mission should focus on pushing forward Haiti's political process and supporting the capacity-building of the country's security and law-enforcement departments, Wang said.