Mr President, the Socialist Group will vote in favour of this resolution. The gross human rights abuses, the poverty and deprivation suffered by the people of Haiti over many years and the military overthrow of President Aristide have been consistently denounced in this Parliament. We reaffirm this today and we ask that all possible steps be taken to ensure that there is no recurrence. We very much hope that United States intervention which has, thankfully, avoided large-scale bloodshed will lead to a new era for the people of Haiti and that their rights to complete independence will be fully respected.

We therefore trust that the United States' troops will be withdrawn as soon as the democratic system has been secured. To assist this, outside aid is required and it is very important that the European Union should make its contribution in the way outlined in this resolution. It is vital that human rights should be fully respected and that there should be no reversion to the rule of the Cédras junta, any other military junta or to trampling human rights underfoot. We support the resolution.