News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 20, 2011: Amidst an alleged sex assault scandal involving UN troops from Paraguay, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he will recommend a reduction of the military component of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to pre-earthquake levels.
Ban Ki-moon made the disclosure to Haitian President Michel Martelly Monday. The Secretary-General also informed Martelly at their meeting ahead of the General Assembly’s annual high-level segment, that he envisaged a gradual withdrawal of MINUSTAH to be worked out in close collaboration with the Haitian Government.
On January 12 last year, the Security Council backed Ban’s call for more troops, adding 2,000 military personnel and 15,000 police to boost support to the humanitarian operation mounted by the world in the wake of the quake that killed tens of thousands.
The mission has an authorized strength of up to 8,940 troops of all ranks, and a police component of up to 4,391.
