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<h1><b>South American Nations Approve Multilateral Reconstruction Fund
for Haiti</b></h1><font size=3>Published on February 10th 2010, by Kiraz
Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com <br>
<a href="http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5128" eudora="autourl">
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5128<br><br>
</a>Caracas February 10, 2010 (venezuelanalysis.com) – South American
nations agreed to contribute to a US$ 100 million reconstruction fund for
earthquake ravaged Haiti at an extraordinary summit of the Union of South
American Nations (UNASUR) in Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday.<br><br>
Contributions to the fund will depend on the GDP of each member country.
The twelve member countries will also ask for a USD200 million loan from
the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on behalf of Haiti, but paid
for by UNASUR.<br><br>
The reconstruction fund will be under the direct control of the Haitian
government and will prioritize transport, in particular construction of
roads, infrastructure projects and agricultural production including
donations of seeds, inputs, fertilizers and a team of
specialists.<br><br>
The accord also seeks to enhance measures already implemented by the
South American Health Council, such as sending doctors and specialists to
treat the sick and wounded and implement epidemic prevention
measures.<br><br>
The resolution also called for the lifting of trade tariffs on Haitian
exports and backed a call for cancellation of Haiti’s foreign debt.
However, apart from Venezuela, none of the UNASUR member countries have
agreed to cancel Haiti’s debt.<br><br>
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the cancellation of Haiti’s
USD 295 million debt to Venezuela on January 25. In addition to
thousands of tons of food aid Venezuela has also sent 225,000 barrels of
diesel fuel and gasoline and Chavez has pledged “all the free fuel that
Haiti needs.”<br><br>
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicholas Maduro, who attended the summit in
place of Chavez who was unable to go, emphasized that the UNASUR accord
ratifies the concept of respect for Haitian sovereignty and added, “The
repudiation of many governments around the world of the hegemonic,
abusive form in which U.S. military has sought to address the issue of
Haiti is very clear.”<br><br>
In contrast to the US role, Maduro highlighted of the role of ALBA, a
Venezuelan supported regional fair-trade bloc, which has pledged US$120
million in reconstruction funds, and in addition to food and medical aid,
is providing programs where children are cared for, given classes, do
sports and recreational activities among other things.<br><br>
“It's an experience of direct solidarity, of people to people solidarity,
where more than 520 Venezuelans, thousands of Cubans as well as
Bolivians, Nicaraguans, Ecuadorians, through ALBA have gone [to Haiti]”,
he said.<br><br>
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