UN General Assembly
2004

region to assist in the establishment of sustained peace in that region. 12 We express our concern about the ongoing political difficulties in the Middle East and in Africa, resulting in violence and the displacement of many persons. The political crises in our own hemisphere — especially in Venezuela and Haiti — have attracted much attention and have been the subject of many efforts by the United Nations and the Organization of American States. We look forward to continuing and sustainable political stability in Venezuela which, we hope, will promote an environment of normalcy and progress. The political situation in our sister nation, the Republic of Haiti, remains of great concern. Since its inception as the first black independent republic, Haiti has become the symbol of struggle and hardship, but also of courage, survival and solidarity. That long- battered country and its population need more profound, constructive and long-term assistance to improve the living conditions of the people of Haiti. Earlier, I referred briefly to the multidimensional nature of security and the need to give due attention to