Divulgação

 

Brazilian-UN Peace Force in Haiti

Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said on Wednesday (9th) that there is no deadline for the Brazilian troops to leave the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti. For Jobim, who attended a public hearing in the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense, the exit strategy of Brazil is "linked to the strategy of building the country [Haiti]."

Asked by Deputy Raul Jungmann (PPS-PE) about a deadline for departure, Jobim said that a date for the end of the military mission "depends on international support” and is closely related to the “construction and maintenance of peace” in that country.

Jobim reminded his listeners that Haiti suffers from serious structural problems such as lack of electricity in the capital, Port au Prince. He advocated the construction there of the Artibonite Electric Plant, at a cost of US$ 150 million, to enable the operation of industries and enterprises that could generate employment and income.

Cost
Since 2004, Brazil has spent about $ 704.5 million Brazilian reais on peacekeeping activities in Haiti. However, the actual expenditure in the period was approximately R$ 415 million, because there is a refund from the UN for this kind of international action. In 2009 $ 108 million reais have been allotted (the largest annual amount to date), including the refunds. Resources are used to fund the troops, for engineering works and social actions.

Six-monthly periods of service
As for the Brazilian contingent, Jobim said the Brazilian infantry battalion is currently composed of 1,016 men, while the engineering group has in total 250 people. Brazil operates a six-monthly rotation of its troops, and the next one - scheduled for the period from 10 to 29 January - will be the 11th rotation. There are 220 Brazilian military vehicles in Haiti.

"Many argue that Brazil must withdraw from Haiti. The Defense Ministry and the government contend that Brazil has to stay in Haiti, even though this represents a cost to the budget of Brazil," said the minister.

Fighters for the FAB
During the hearing, Deputy Wilson Picler (PDT-PR) announced that he will send to the presidents of the Chamber, Michel Temer, and the Senate, José Sarney, a petition suggesting that the report prepared by the Air Force Command on the most suitable aircraft models should be crucial in the tendering for 36 fighters that the Brazilian government intends to invite to refit the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Companies competing for this market are the U.S. Boeing, France's Dassault and Sweden's Saab.

Jobim, however, played down the initiative, arguing that the report of the Air Force Command is a technical document that cannot influence a major decision of the government, on the industrial policy for national defense, for the transfer of technology is among the criteria for the purchase of aircraft. "It is the civil power which defines the industrial policy. We have long experience of embargoes from countries that have promised transfer of technology and failed to keep their word," he said.
Picler reported that his petition has 195 signatures from parliamentarians.

Reporting - Rodrigo Bittar
Edition - Newton Araújo
Translation – Rejane Xavier