Topic: Defense
Primary Author: Christine McLaren
Current Situation:
During the French Revolution, every element of Haitian life was controlled by the military. Later the military failed to protect the government or led to downfall of the government. The United States tried to rebuild the army, and there were some social and economic increases. In 1994 a constitution was established that includes Haitian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), but the Armed Forces have been demoralized. The Haitian National Police Force has taken over. Haiti does have a small coast guard, which is basically ineffective. Manpower available for service: over 1,600,000 men and 1,600,000 women between ages 18-49 with about 200,000 people reaching military age annually. Manpower fit for service: about 930,000 men and 930,000 women.
Issues to be Discussed:
• Rebuilding a functional military
• Controlling illegal border immigration
• Disbanding the use of and trafficking of drugs
• Separating the power of government and military
Calls upon the U.N. to:
I. Include the military in the constitution
A. All citizens of Haiti over the age of eighteen are able to join the Armed Forces.
B. There must be a distinct separation of powers of the military and government.
II. Send the UN Task Force to Haiti
A. The UN Task Force will peacefully rid the country of the Haitian National Police Force, Coast Guard, and any other existing military organizations.
B. The Task Force will investigate the actions of the previously mentioned organizations and its members.
C. In the meantime, the UN Task Force will enforce peace in the streets of Haiti.
1. The Task Force will act as the temporary military. The approved police and military officials will be invited back and other interested Haitians will be incorporated. When things start to settle and investigations are conclusive, Haitians will be integrated into the military. By the end of the provisional government, Haitians should be in complete control.
2. The Task Force will train these men and women volunteers to run their own functional, stable, and peaceful military. Haitians in the military will be required to take the “moral classes” offered at the high schools.
3. Only military personnel will have firearms, which will be used only when absolutely necessary.
D. The UN Task Force along with Dominican Republic military personnel will enforce strict border laws and control illegal immigration. Haitians will then be integrated.
III. Create a sense of nationalism
A. By allowing all citizens to join the military and providing them with a sense of unity, citizens will be more likely to positively contribute.
B. Negative influences such as drugs (the use of and trafficking of), gang involvement, and unnecessary violence must be eliminated and punishable acts. If military personnel are involved in any of these actions they will be dismissed from serving in the military. The UN Task Force is responsible for checking in with Haitians when they are in control to make sure that, unlike previous attempts, the military does not become corrupt.
IV. Provide new weapons and technology
A. Weapons (light machinery and artillery) and technology (computers, raw materials for air planes and ships) will be donated by other UN countries.
B. The UN Task Force will initially teach the Haitians how to operate, care for, and teach others to work and understand the technology.
C. This technology will only be used
Budget:
Money will need to be allotted for: training and paying the Haitians who are full-time military officials.
