7153: CARICOM on Haiti -- February 16, 2001 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <maxblanchet@worldnet.att.net>

CARICOM Statement - 16 February 2001
STATEMENT ON THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY'S RELATIONS WITH HAITI ISSUED AT THE
CONCLUSION OF THE 12TH INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF
GOVERNMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY, ST. MICHAEL, BARBADOS, 16 FEBRUARY
2001

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The Conference:

Having engaged in deep and wide-ranging exchange of views with His
Excellency Jean-Bertrand Aristide, newly-elected President of Haiti on
political developments in that country;

Having been assured by His Excellency of his commitment to take such action,
as lies within his authority, to address certain concerns arising from the
21 May 2000 elections, especially regarding the election of Senators, and,
having also been assured of his determination to establish a new Conseil
Electoral Provisoire (CEP);

Determined that expanding the economic and social opportunities available to
the Haitian people in their own country would reduce the incentive for so
many to seek improved economic prospects abroad, often at great peril, and
would instead contribute to the growth and development of Haiti;

Reiterated their commitment to supporting the building and strengthening of
democratic institutions as a basis for economic and social development;

Emphasised to His Excellency the necessity for Haiti to adhere, as is
required of all Community Member States, to the Charter of Civil Society,
and in keeping with Haiti's undertaking as a condition of its Terms of
Accession to the Caribbean Community;

Agreed at the invitation of President Aristide, to explore the possibility
of a joint CARICOM/International Mission to Haiti to help set in train and
facilitate implementation of the various undertakings to which the President
had given his commitment;

Decided to establish a CARICOM Office in Haiti at the earliest possible
opportunity, and to foster contacts at all levels between the citizens of
Haiti and the people of the Caribbean Community.




Bridgetown, Barbados

February 16, 2001




(Source: The Caribbean Community)