U.N. Mission in Haiti Is Extended for Four Months
The Security Council, averting a threatened Chinese veto, on Thursday approved a four-month renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping operation in Haiti only hours before its mandate was due to expire.
The resolution, adopted by a unanimous vote of 15-0, calls for 1,200 troops and 300 civilian police, the maximum China would accept.
Canada saved the mission from doom by offering to send 600 to 700 troops at its own expense to reach the target number of troops deemed necessary to continue the operation.
China held the Haiti mission hostage for days in what diplomats said was anger at both Haiti and the United States for overtures to Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province.
“Yes, 15 votes!,” said U.S. Ambassador Madeleine Albright, with a laugh of relief as she announced the vote. Albright ended her month as council president with the Haiti resolution.
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