6675: GILMAN SUPPORTS HAITI CIVIL SOCIETY DIALOGUE (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Stanley Lucas <slucas@iri.org>

DATE:	January 18, 2001					   FOR RELEASE: Immediate   101-18
 
GILMAN SUPPORTS HAITI CIVIL SOCIETY DIALOGUE,
 CALLS ON ARISTIDE TO MATCH WORDS WITH ACTIONS

 	WASHINGTON DC --- U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY) made the following statement today concerning a dialogue initiative launched by a coalition of civil society groups in Haiti:
 
 "The dialogue announced by leaders of Haiti's civil society is a
 courageous and welcome initiative. An old Creole saying reminds us that a
 river cannot run upstream. Accordingly, a real dialogue among Haitians is
 fundamental to taking the necessary steps to secure space for political
 pluralism, the rule of law, and legitimate governance in Haiti. A broad
 dialogue is the only path that can lead to the serious reforms and
investments in education and healthcare that are so desperately needed for
 all Haitians to benefit from the global economy."
 
 "The government of Haiti and its ruling Lavalas Family party will bear the
 principal burden for the success or failure of this dialogue initiative.
Regrettably, Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide's promises to President Clinton
 and public call for dialogue have only been words.  Mr. Aristide must go
 beyond words now and take concrete, constructive steps. 
 
 "Mr. Aristide remains silent while his partisans continue to threaten
 violence against journalists, civil society and democratic political
 leaders. In Limbe, Haiti, individuals directly related to Mr. Aristide's
 political party are threatening to seize and destroy the "Hopital Bon
 Samaritain," a charitable, American-run institution that serves Haiti's
 poor people. It is time for Mr. Aristide to exercise leadership and stop
 the violence."
 -30--