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VOLUME 15: 1995-1996
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9. Letter from U.S. Secretary of State Christopher to Foreign
Minister Peres on Israel Police work in Haiti, 21 January 1995.
In 1994, following the restoration of democracy to Haiti and the return of
President Aristide, supported by the United States, to that island
republic, Israel was invited to send police monitors to help the local
police deal with human rights abuses and in general help the Haitian
police reform their practices and organization. An Israeli police
contingent spent almost a year in Haiti and upon the conclusion of its
work, Mr. Christopher expressed the gratitude of the United States for the
work the Israeli police team performed. Text:
His Excellency Shimon Peres
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel
Jerusalem
Dear Mr. Minister,
As your international police contingent returns to Israel, I want to
express to you my personal gratitude for their excellent performance in
Haiti. They helped to expose the Haitian police for the first time to
professional police procedures and standards of conduct, and succeeded in
bringing a high degree of professionalism to the local police company with
which they worked.
The outstanding performance of your police monitors led to the immediate
cessation of human rights abuses by the Haitian police under their
supervision. Their presence contributed greatly to the establishment of a
safe and secure environment in which the people of Haiti can face the
challenges of economic and political reconstruction.
In addition, your police monitors reached out to the Carrefour community
where they were based, educating both the Haitian police and public that
policing is a public service. To cite just one example, they assisted in
the emergency delivery of babies, a common practice in most professional
police forces but new to Haiti.
You will be pleased to hear that one of the newborns is named "Israel".
Israel can take pride in the performance of its officers in helping to
restore democracy to Haiti. Please accept the gratitude of the United
States and my personal thanks for their outstanding service.
Sincerely,
Warren Christopher
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