Haiti Receives Funds For Elections In 2005

Haiti Receives Funds For Elections In 2005, UN Mission Says

A global agreement, initialled in the office of Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, is bringing $41 million from abroad to Haiti for its elections later this year, according to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Canada would donate up to about $14 million, the European Union $12 million, and the United States $15 million. Haiti itself pledged $3 million, the Mission said yesterday after the ceremony.

"The confirmation of this important assistance marks the strong engagement of the international community towards the establishment of a stable atmosphere for elections and for the return of constitutional order in Haiti," the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Juan Gabriel Valdes, said.

Besides Mr. Valdes, those initialling the agreement were the Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Adama Guindo, Ambassador Claude Boucher of Canada, Mr. Latortue and the president of the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council, Max Maturin.

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