STATEMENT BY MS. CHERRYL GORDON, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, IN EXPLANATION OF VOTE ON PARAGAPH 4 OF DRAFT RESOLUTION, “AD HOC ADVISORY GROUP ON HAITI” (E/2005/L.20/Rev.1) (New York, 27 July 2005)

Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China voted in favour of paragraph four of this draft resolution E/2005/L.20/Rev.1 on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, and on the draft resolution as a whole, in keeping with our strong support for the long-term programme of support for economic and social development in Haiti. As we outlined in our statement to this Council at the beginning of its consideration of this matter, the G-77 and China are strongly in favour of extending the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti.

Mr. President,

The distressing situation in Haiti is well-known. The people of Haiti are in urgent need of assistance and support from the international community, including the United Nations. In this context, the G-77 and China is extremely disappointed that the Council has been asked to vote on this draft resolution, which is an important element in advancing this assistance to the Haitian people. Notwithstanding the explanations given by the delegation of the United States of America which called for a vote on this matter, the G-77 and China is of the view that, in this particular instance, the substantive issue at hand is too important for it to be sacrificed for mere procedural concerns. This is regrettable because, especially at this time, Mr. President, the United Nations cannot be ambiguous in its support, over the long-term, for the survival of Haiti and its people. Accordingly, the Group of 77 and China also wish to emphasise the need for the ECOSOC to continue to play a key role in the consideration of this issue.

I thank you, Mr. President.