UNITED NATIONS, April 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Wednesday that China supports the UN secretary-general's proposed drawdown and exit roadmap for peacekeeping in Haiti.
China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Wu Haitao made the remark at a Security Council meeting on Haiti, including on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Caribbean country known as MINUJUSTH.
As MINUJUSTH is likely to conclude in October, Wu said the mission should continue to transfer the responsibility to the Haitian government in a steadily and orderly manner and complete the drawdown and exit on schedule.
"With regard to the transition to a special political mission post-MINUJUSTH, members of the Security Council, the secretariat, and the Haitian government should fully discuss the relevant issues," he said.
The Haitian government should continue to strengthen its coordination and collaboration with the United Nations to ensure a smooth transition, he urged.
In addition, he said China hopes that the Haitian government can assume its responsibility of maintaining the country's stability and development, enhance its self-development capacity, and strengthen the rule of law.
He also expressed hope that the Haitian government can conduct a constructive nationwide dialogue and properly resolve differences through consultations.
At the same meeting, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the completion of MINUJUSTH is within reach.
He told the Security Council that the UN supports the Haitian leaders' wish to end the mandate of MINUJUSTH in October and to have Haitian authorities completely take over the security of the country.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended continuing to assist Haiti through a small strategic advisory office.
Lacroix said the recommendation is based on the assessments of the most urgent needs and represents the ideal format to address these needs.
If this recommendation is adopted, he said, the UN mission would work, in the next six months, to assist the priorities put forward by the leaders and people of Haiti while preparing for a smooth transition to a post-peacekeeping UN presence.
