DOMINGO.- Peacekeepers of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah) will heighten their presence at the border with the Dominican Republic as part of a plan to reinforce the zone’s controls and security.

As part of the operation the Minustah troops, on the Haitian side, and those of the Border Security Corps (Cesfront), on the Dominican part, will patrol the more than 350 kilometer border from Montecristi in the northwest, to Pedernales in the southwest.

Reportedly the land patrols will be reinforced to target key points for the traffic of undocumented people, drugs, guns and merchandise. Mentioned in that regard are the Dominican towns Elías Piña, Dajabón, Montecristi, Pedro Santana, Bánica, Sabana Cruz and Juan Santiago, Sabana Artibonito, among others.  

On the Haitian side the communities cited are Ounaminthe, Maribaroux, Savane Longue, Gens de Nantes, Dilaire, Dosmond, Gens de Nantes, Belladere, among others.

In the eve of the start of the UN Annual Assembly Secretary General Ban Ki-moon raised the need for more attention at the Haiti-Dominican border, including more patrol and support vehicles to transport more troops.

The Minustah currently has 9,158 peacekeepers, including 7,106 soldiers and 2,052 police, supported by 492 international officials, 1,221 national officials and 202 United Nations volunteers.

The Dominican Government has called on the international community to seek a solution to the Haitian crisis and the United States will contribute US$30 million to fight drug trafficking through the border.

SOURCE: eldia.com.do