Speech by the Foreign Minister of Brazil, Ambassador Celso Amorim, at the Seminar for Peace and Reconciliation — Oslo, Norway, 14 September 2007.

Dear Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me thank my dear colleague Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for the warm hospitality granted to us.

This is the second Seminar jointly organized by Brazil and Norway on the subject of Peace and Reconciliation. The first was held in Brasilia at the Rio Branco Institute – the Brazilian diplomatic academy – during the State Visit of Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja, in October 2003.

Hopefully, this Seminar will enhance our capacity to work together and generate positive results. Our decision to focus our discussions on the current situation in Haiti and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will allow us to exchange experiences and perceptions on two different problems in security and development. Let me begin with a few words on the first topic.

Brazil has been actively engaged in international efforts to restore peace and stability in Haiti through the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH). We accepted to be a part of this Mission because Haiti is a country in our region, the Mission had a UN mandate and, last but not least, Brazil could make a difference, along with other Latin American countries.

As a matter-of-fact, Brazil decided to take a leadership role in MINUSTAH precisely because we thought that we would be able to give the UN presence a direction that was different from the usual pattern of peace-keeping operations. From the very beginning, we were conscious that force alone was not able to solve the Haitian problem.

Our presence in Haiti rests on three interdependent and equally important pillars: 1) securing a safe environment; 2) encouraging genuine national reconciliation through democratic dialogue; and 3) gathering effective international support for social and economic reconstruction. Simultaneous attention to these three pillars is an indispensable condition for a full institutional and socio-economic recovery of Haiti.

We believe that MINUSTAH should be regarded as an alternative, pro-development approach for the challenges posed by conflict resolution within states facing high economic and social vulnerability.

Some results have already been achieved. MINUSTAH has been instrumental in bringing hope back to the people of Haiti. While fulfilling its mandate under Brazilian military command since its establishment in 2004, the UN Mission has effectively reduced violence.

Our action was firm, but always respecting the Haitian people. In the beginning, there was a lot of scepticism concerning the effectiveness of our approach, but in the end critics we proven to be wrong.

A recent opinion poll conducted by the United Nations showed that 78% of the Haitian population approve the presence of MINUSTAH.

A positive outcome in security, for instance, was made in Cité Soleil, a poor, densely populated neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince, formerly dominated by gangs and armed criminals. The challenge now is to make public services fully available to the people in Cité Soleil, the great majority of which are still living in extreme poverty.

The overall political situation has also improved. Constitutional order was re-established. Democratic institutions are again in place. Presidential and parliamentary elections were freely held. René Préval was sworn in as the new President in May 2006.

A great part of our diplomatic effort was directed to the CARICOM countries. Most of those countries, for reasons that are totally understandable, tended to view the transitional authorities in Haiti and the actions of MINUSTAH with suspicion.

We have always argued that lasting peace in Haiti could not be attained without the close involvement of other countries in the region. A few months after René Préval’s election, Haiti was re-integrated into the Caribbean Community. CARICOM leaders hailed the return of democracy and welcomed Haiti back into the regional body.

On the humanitarian side, Brazil has sponsored a number of initiatives and bilateral projects. Technical missions are frequently dispatched to Haiti to provide assistance and support local efforts. I can see here our Ambassador in Port-au-Prince, Paulo Cordeiro, who has been doing a tremendous job in fostering new initiatives in areas of common interest for both Brazil and Haiti.

In addition, we have implemented innovative forms of South-South cooperation. Resources from the India-Brazil-South Africa Fund have been allocated to Haiti. The IBSA Fund is financing a project of solid waste management – collection, transport, processing and disposal. Also, for the first time, the World Bank is co-financing a cooperation project by a developing country, i.e. Brazil, to help another developing country, in this case a project on school meals.

In 2006, we hosted in Brasilia a High Level International Meeting to review the status of foreign assistance to Haiti. Participants of the Meeting agreed to renew the coordinated international effort known as the Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF). It is worth recalling that, under the Framework and its supplementary commitments, Haiti’s partners had mobilized some financial aid. Notwithstanding, pledges on a larger scale are still very much in need.

It was agreed at the meeting in Brasilia to redirect the focus of the Framework in order to take into account President Préval’s priority of tackling emergency needs. Our aim is to strike a balance between short-term assistance and a firm commitment by the international community to long term development, always respecting the sovereignty of Haiti.

Trilateral cooperation is a promising area. Some projects are designed to have immediate impact on Haitian society. Other projects help to address long term change.

Brazil and the United States agreed earlier this year to enhance their cooperation with the Haitian Government, especially with regard to ethanol. Also noteworthy is our cooperation in trilateral projects with Canada on health care and vaccines and with Spain on reforestation.

We are helping Haitian institutions to develop their own capabilities in different sectors, including the judiciary system and the national police. But this will certainly take some time.

At this juncture, it is premature for MINUSTAH to leave Haiti. The UN Secretary-General is well aware of that. In his visit to Haiti last August, Ban Ki-Moon said he favoured the renewal of the mandate of MINUSTAH for one more year. We strongly support the view that the Mission, with its current military strength, must stay longer in Haiti.

I believe there is room for other instances of trilateral cooperation. We know that Norway has been playing a constructive role in Haiti in promoting dialogue among political parties. This Seminar offers a timely occasion to look into possible ways for our countries to share experiences and plan ahead.

Brazil and Norway could also collaborate more with Haitian authorities in areas which need extra international support. Norway is already providing financial assistance to a Brazilian non-governmental organization in a project for the collection and treatment of rain water in Bel-Air. We should explore other joint initiatives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The second topic of this Seminar is similarly of grave concern. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents an unhealed scar in today’s world. There will be no durable peace in the Middle East without a permanent solution for this divisive issue.

Unilateral initiatives are not the answer. The international community as a whole has a duty to work with the parties concerned in order to ensure that they follow the path of dialogue, not confrontation.

We praise the peace efforts made by Norway as a goodwill partner. Norwegian humanitarian aid, including assistance by non-governmental organizations, has proved to be extremely valuable for providing relief and improving governance in many troubled areas.

In the last few years, Brazil has strengthened relations with the Arab world. Brazil was the first Latin American country granted observer status by the Arab League. The Brazilian Government has appointed a special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs, Ambassador Ouro-Preto, who is here with us today. In May 2005, we hosted in Brasilia an unprecedented Summit of South American and Arab countries.

At the same time, we value our relations with Israel. We are in a unique position to talk to both sides.

Brazil wishes to increase the scope of its contribution to a peaceful Middle East. We expressed to both parties as well as to the Quartet our readiness to participate more actively in international efforts towards peace. We are keen to learn and exchange views on how Brazil and Norway can coordinate actions in this regard.

As we know, apart from the countries directly involved, Middle Eastern issues have always been dealt with exclusively by the great powers. Unfortunately, no solution has been achieved so far. We need to engage more countries in the process. We need new ideas and fresh proposals.

Last year, in his address to the UN General Assembly, President Lula suggested the possibility of calling a broad, UN-sponsored Conference, with the participation of countries from the region as well as other nations, including developing ones. Maybe the time has come to discuss this at greater length.

Likewise, we may discuss in this Seminar the idea of setting up a Group of Friends for Peace in the Middle East. Last August, in a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, President Lula raised the subject and suggested that – ideally – the Group of Friends be coordinated by the UN Secretary-General.

This Group could be composed of interested countries that have a consensus-building profile, international credibility and good relations with all parties. Perhaps a bit of fresh air would be beneficial to the peace process.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have circulated policy papers on Brazil’s position concerning Haiti and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Apart from these two key issues, exchange of Brazilian and Norwegian experiences in other countries and regions can be of great value for future actions.

Norway has a fine record in peace efforts in many places in the world, such as Sri Lanka and Sudan. On our side, we are proud of successful past experiences in confidence-building and mediation processes in our region. Mainly within the context of the Portuguese-speaking countries, we have also acted in some situations in Africa.

I am an optimist. I am sure you are too. Our countries are firm believers in peace and reconciliation in our time. Together, we can promote greater understanding through diplomacy and cooperation.

Thank you.