5306: Events in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

(from Caribbean Insight newsletter, 13 Oct 00)


Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was the only major candidate when
nominations closed on October 9 for the November 26 presidential elections,
which the opposition is boycotting.  Six virtually unknown figures also
registered.  The nomination period had been extended for a week after only
minor candidates had registered by the deadline.  About 30 candidates,
mostly independents, are standing for the nine senate seats also to be
contested on November 26.  Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas (FL) party is
contesting all the seats.  Aristide told his supporters that his candidacy
was "a historic step on the road to peace and a new country."  
        OAS assistant secretary-general Luigi Einaudi was due to arrive in
Haiti on October 12 for his third visit in six weeks to try to get the FL
and the main opposition Convergence Démocratique to negotiate over the May
21 legislative election results that have sparked the boycott.  Einaudi
said his visit would be "the last chance" for a settlement.  President René
Préval said on October 7 that he might be willing to replace some members
of the Conseil Électoral Provisioire, which the opposition wants replaced
in its entirety.
        Despite an appeal from President Préval, the new parliament has
failed to consider any of the international loan agreements pending for the
past three years and awaiting urgent approval.  Deputies took their seats
on August 28 but only two weeks later adjourned for a break and have not
since been reconvened by Préval.