Every life is valuable. I am sad for the loss of Mr. Hedi Annabi. I will morn for the possibility of change he could have brought to Haiti. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.
The chief of the United Nations stabilization mission to Haiti, Hédi Annabi, was reported killed in the collapse of the U.N. building in Port-au-Prince.
Mr. Annabi, a 65-year-old career diplomat from Tunisia, was one of up to 100 people reported missing in the collapse, according to the United Nations. Haiti’s president, Rene Preval, told journalists in Port-au-Prince that Mr. Annabi had died when the five-story Christopher Hotel, which housed the U.N. offices, collapsed. Mr. Annabi was meeting a Chinese police delegation at the time of the earthquake, according to reports.
On Jan. 7, Mr. Annabi had pledged that the United Nations would assume responsibility for logistics and security for a pair of upcoming Haitian elections. The first, for the country’s legislature, was scheduled to occur on Feb. 28.
“Success would allow the country to enter a virtuous circle where stability and development are mutually reinforcing,” Mr. Annabi said.
“Haiti is today at a turning point in its history,” Mr. Annabi said on Jan. 7. “We saw the hope of a new departure emerge on the horizon in 2009. It is now up to the Haitians, and only the Haitians, to transform this hope into reality by working together in the greater interests of their country.”
Mr. Annabi was appointed in 2007 as head of the stabilization mission, which includes 7,800 U.N. peacekeepers. He was previously assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, working on U.N.-brokered political settlements in Cambodia and Africa.
– Stephen Miller
Once more risking the chance of making some of my friends a little mad. As well as hoping that some of my other friends/family might take note of my issues and mention to someone, somewhere that SOMETHING needs changed. I'll think out loud for a moment...
This is Hedi Annabi. He is the U.N. Special Representative and the leader of the four-year-old mission in Haiti. Mr. Annabi may be speaking out of both sides of his mouth. May. I repeat may. I will be waiting to see.One side: President Rene Preval has called on the force for more than two years to provide long-term assistance with "fewer tanks and more tractors." Hedi Annabi believes it's not his mission. He said, "I'm not going to ask for something that will never happen. We try on the margins of the mandate to do what we can, to do simple things for people to meet emergency needs ... but we don't have a development mandate and never will."
But because he wants the UN force in Haiti renewed, he's changed his tune slightly. (On a side note here. I was thinking about this before the contract was renewed on October 16th)
The other side: He believes a large-scale reforestation combined with an alternative energy plan is necessary. He admits the government of Haiti does not have enough resources (aka MONEY) to help the people of Haiti and "A poor, angry and desperate population is not compatible with security and stability. "
"I realise we are in a difficult environment," he said. However, he said it would not hurt the economies of developed countries to hand over more aid for Haiti.
Is he asking for more money for MINUSTAH? They have a $575 million budget.
Or is he asking for "fewer tanks and more tractors"?
Let's watch and see.
In the durration if you are interested in Alternative sustainable development, environment organizational and leadership training,community micro-credit and animal husbandry
Please visit the Lambi Fund of Haiti
No comments:
Post a Comment