Aloisio Milani
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The Brazilian general who commands the United Nations (UN) military troops in Haiti, José Elito Siqueira, declared that the UN stabilization mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) achieved its strategic objective, which was to guarantee security and stability so that general elections could be held. A provisional government has been ruling the country since the February, 2004, political crisis that resulted in the ouster of president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

Yesterday (14), the UN Security Council decided to extend the MINUSTAH's mandate for another six months, coinciding with the initial phase of the newly elected government [which, as of this moment, is still incomplete, since the presidential race may have to be decided in a runoff election]. In general Siqueira's view, this period will be important in terms of providing continuity to the effort made up to this point.

Translation: David Silberstein