SG/SM/9449
20 August 2004
Haiti Can Count on UN for Help in Regaining Peace, Stability, Prosperity, Secretary-General Says in Message for Brazil-Haiti Football Match
NEW YORK, 19 August (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of the video message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, translated from French, on the occasion of the Brazil-Haiti football match in Port-au-Prince on 18 August:
Nations Unies ap di nou onè respè! [Greetings to everyone from the United Nations!]
In a few moments, you will see some of the world’s best athletes in action.
Through them, you will also see the spirit of peace.
Haiti knows that it can count on the friendship of Brazil, its football stars, its blue helmets, and above all, its President, Lula da Silva. We are grateful to them all for giving so generously of their time and talent, and for helping Haiti at this difficult time in its history.
Haiti can also count on the United Nations. Our staff and our agencies are here to help you regain the peace, stability and prosperity to which you have aspired for so long. We will remain steadfast in our commitment alongside you.
And now for football!
You are going to see an extraordinary match, formidable team work and remarkable individual talent. That is the spirit of football! And it is that spirit that we will all need if we want to build a new Haiti.
En nous jouer football pou la paix! [Let us play football for peace!]
And remember that all of you, whether you are supporters of Brazil or of Haiti, will be winners today.
Mesi ampil! [Thank you very much].
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