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French, Brazilian foreign ministers visit Haiti projects

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• published: 23 Jul 2015
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SHOTLIST 1. Exterior of medical centre where Foreign Ministers met 2. Medium of French, Brazilian and Haitian flags 3. Wide of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (left), Haiti Health Minister Alex Larsen (middle) and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim (right) at table 4. SOUNDBITE (French) Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister: "The Brazilian Foreign Minister and myself talked together about the situation in Haiti, about the progress that has been made which, though not sufficient, are significant. For those who know Haiti, you see the progress (but also) we see the problems in terms of security - progress indeed but not enough. Once again my Brazilian counterpart is totally right it is an essential part but not the only one. There must be progress in development and partnership about the Haitians themselves." 5. Cutaway of media 6. Medium of Kouchner and other officials 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister: "Starting from scratch. But, yes, getting better in terms of security certainly. But security is not enough. But security, the way we are training the people, the police. There is a reform of the constitution going on. And well, after years and years." 8. Medium of Kouchner hugging Dr Jean Pape who works fighting AIDS in Haiti STORYLINE French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner said on Friday during a visit to Haiti that United Nations (UN) troops should remain in the impoverished, politically chaotic country at least through next year's planned presidential elections. The 9,000-member UN force has been in Haiti since former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted in a 2004 rebellion. Its mandate is expected to be renewed for another year by the Security Council before October 15. Kouchner, a longtime advocate of foreign interventions on behalf of human rights, said the impoverished country had improved security but that "security is not enough," adding that UN troops should remain until Haiti holds free and open elections to replace President Rene Preval. Preval was elected to a five-year term in 2006 after months of delays in holding elections under the US-backed interim government that formed after Aristide's departure. He has faced few challenges to his presidency since, but lost his prime minister to a parliamentary vote following food riots that saw angry protesters attempt to break down the gates of the national palace Voting to replace him is expected late next year, but no date has been set. Preval has embarked on a constitutional reform project to expand presidential powers, but has said that he will not run in 2010. Kouchner, a co-founder of Doctors Without Borders who worked with the group in Haiti nearly four decades ago, is on a two-day visit to the Caribbean nation with Brazilian foreign minister Celso Amorim. Brazil provides the bulk and leadership of the UN peacekeeping force. The pair met with Preval shortly after arriving on Friday morning. They are also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis, as well as the head of the UN peacekeeping mission, and visit a bridge rebuilt after last year's four hurricanes that killed some 800 people and caused 1 (b) billion US dollars in damage. On Friday afternoon, the dignitaries visited a branch of the Haitian AIDS clinic GHESKIO to inaugurate a 147-thousand US dollars (100-thousand euros) French-Brazilian breast-milk storage facility that will provide donated milk for babies whose mothers who are HIV positive or too malnourished to breastfeed. In a brief news conference at the facility, Kouchner told reporters that French President Nicolas Sarkozy intends to visit Haiti at some point but that plans have not yet been finalised. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/504bd0ce3c6d4a5c43e7a5f729712933 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork