Brazilian army commander in chief, general Francisco Roberto de Albuquerque, declared, Thursday, January 12, that the death of general Urano Teixeira Bacellar will not interfere with the task that Brazil is carrying out in Haiti.
"We shall complete this mission, as we are doing with so many others that have been entrusted to us in the past. Be assured that this fact will not deter us. We shall see the name of Brazil held aloft and honored on the international stage," the commander in chief affirmed in an interview on National AM Radio’s "Brazil Magazine" program.
In general Albuquerque’s opinion, Brazil has a duty to continue heading the United Nations (UN) Peace Mission in Haiti, mainly because of the international prestige it confers on the country. "This is a globalized world. We have to show results. We are collaborating with the peace process," he affirmed.
He also underlines respect for human rights, the defense of peace, and cooperation among nations as essential to the peace mission. "We want to create conditions to establish this democratic State, which is so important, especially here on this American continent of ours, which is where Haiti is."
According to the general, the working conditions the Brazilians face in Haiti are normal. "Troop morale remains as high as ever, demonstrating the excellent preparation and the worth of the Brazilian soldier."
Brazil is currently engaged in nine peace missions, and, according to the army commander in chief, will continue "to participate actively in missions undertaken by international bodies."
Albuquerque informed that he intends to accompany the two generals nominated for the post of military commander of the Peace Mission in Haiti on their trip to the UN. He said that his priority there will be to discuss operational aspects of the mission. After that he expects to go to Haiti to visit the Brazilian troops.
UN Confirms Suicide
In a note published on the United Nations website, the UN Peace Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) confirmed that suicide was the official cause of the death of general Urano Teixeira Bacellar.
Bacellar had been head of the UN Peace Force in Haiti since September, 2005. He was found dead on Saturday, January 7, in his hotel room in Port-au-Prince, with a gunshot wound to the head.
In its note, the UN reports that the investigation conducted by the Brazilian police reached the same conclusion.
Agência Brasil