UN Secretary General to Seek Tougher Measures in Haiti

Strategic Insights -

In a statement made after a meeting at the White House with President Clinton, the United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, announced that he plans to wait no more than several weeks before asking the Security Council to consider tougher measures to oust Haiti's military leaders. The UN is also set to provide helicopters and equipment to the Dominican Republic to patrol its border with Haiti and prevent embargoed goods from getting through, with the aim of giving expanded trade sanctions a chance to work. This move is seen as a sign of alignment between the UN Secretary General and the US Administration, which has expressed a growing determination to end the dictatorship in Haiti.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, plans to wait no more than several weeks before asking the Security Council to consider tougher measures to oust Haiti's military leaders.
  • The UN plans to provide helicopters and equipment to the Dominican Republic to patrol its border with Haiti and prevent embargoed goods from getting through.
  • The US Administration has expressed a growing determination to end the dictatorship in Haiti and has considered using military force to restore democracy if the near-total embargo fails to oust military officers.
  • Foreign Minister Alain Juppe of France suggested that sanctions should be allowed to work for up to four months.
  • A senior Administration official cautioned that no change in the American course is likely until after President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott complete a broad effort to consult with other countries.
  • The UN Secretary General must report to the Security Council by June 30 about the sanctions' effect.
  • William Gray, Mr. Clinton's special adviser on Haiti, expressed optimism about the prospect of curbing shipments across the frontier.

Statistics:

  • 25 people were killed last month by backers of the military in Gonaives, an area a group of Haitians came from to flee to Haiti.
  • 20 people were picked up at sea last weekend while fleeing Haiti by a United States Coast Guard cutter.
  • 4 months: the suggested timeframe by Foreign Minister Alain Juppe for sanctions to work.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, Author Not Specified, "Boutros-Ghali Will Seek Tougher Measures in Haiti" (no date provided)
  • Associated Press, "AP News", Photo Caption (no date provided)
  • White House, "Boutros Boutros-Ghali to Seek Tougher Measures in Haiti" (no date provided)