Missing U.N. chief: Haiti was "at a turning point"

Posted By Joshua Keating Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 12:39 PM Share

Veteran Tunisian Diplomat Hedi Annabi, chief of the U.N. stabilization mission in Haiti, is among those still missing in the wreckage of the U.N. headquarters in Port-au-Prince. Several official sources have reported him dead. The Wall Street Journal's Dispatches blog reprints  recent comments Annabi made about Haiti's upcoming elections, which would have been the first for the country's legislature. In the context of what's happened since, Annabi's remarks are just heart-breaking:

“Success would allow the country to enter a virtuous circle where stability and development are mutually reinforcing,” Mr. Annabi said.

“Haiti is today at a turning point in its history,” Mr. Annabi said on Jan. 7. “We saw the hope of a new departure emerge on the horizon in 2009. It is now up to the Haitians, and only the Haitians, to transform this hope into reality by working together in the greater interests of their country.”

As always, in the wake of such events, it's lamentable that the international community can mobilize millions of dollars in aid after a disaster stikes, but for years allowed the country to fall into a state of disrepair that made the disaster so much worse. Here's hoping that this time the country stays on the international agenda after the rubble is cleared. Annabi's successors are going to have their work cut out for them. 

EXPLORE:HAITI'S DISASTER
 

TORTMASTER

11:16 AM ET

January 15, 2010

Lamentable?

You wrote "it's lamentable that the international community can mobilize millions of dollars in aid after a disaster stikes, but for years allowed the country to fall into a state of disrepair that made the disaster so much worse."

No Sir. HAITI allowed itself to fall into a state of disrepair that made the disaster so much worse. Haitians are responsible for their system of government. Furthermore, your insinuation that any reasonable amount of aid could have made a difference in a city where the mayor stated publicly that the majority of buildings were unsafe for occupation under normal circumstances does not hold water.

 

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.

Read More