UN troops to remain in crisis-ridden Haiti

The United Nations says international troops need to remain in Haiti in order to maintain stability in the country. This comes just days after riot police detained more than a dozen students protesting at their medical school, according to the Associated Press.  It's part of ongoing student demonstrations pushing for an increase in the minimum wage and opposing the presence of UN troops.

But the UN doesn't plan to pull out soon. Today, Special Representative for Haiti Heddi Annabi said local police need continued support from international troops.

"Haiti continues to face threats including a potential for resumed activity by gangs, criminals and other armed groups, corruption and violence associated with illegal trafficking and the risk of civil unrest. All of these threats may be manipulated to achieve personal or political objectives, including in the context of forthcoming electoral processes."

US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, echoed those sentiments. She said Haiti's own police force lacks the capacity, training and equipment necessary to "respond independently" to threats.

Meanwhile, some leaders are encouraging development in the country, including UN Special Envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton, who spoke at the UN Security Council this week. Clinton urged countries to make good on financial commitments and aid to help repair the country's infrastructure after several severe hurricanes and storms last fall.

"Haiti can succeed but not without your help. I urge all who made commitments during last April's donor conference and the immediate aftermath to begin actually funding them as soon as possible. An estimated 760 million dollars has been pledged to the Haiti government since then, but only 21 million have been disbursed since then. The contributions that all of you generously pledged are urgently needed now."

Those storms killed some 800 people and caused more than $1 billion in damage.

"In August, the government shortened the length of time it takes between filing an investment proposal and its approval. This is a very good beginning. But we need to do more, to rebuild the roads, the infrastructure, the power supply necessary to advance agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Given the untapped economically viable opportunities for clean energy and greater energy efficiency, there is also no reason why Haiti can't become much more energy-independent, in a way that will create substantial numbers of new jobs and will cut long-term costs to business, government and individual citizens."

As the UN Special Envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton will lead a trade mission to the country in a few weeks.