7165: Haiti - Civil Society Initiative (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Stanley Lucas <slucas@iri.org>

Civil Society Initiative
Press Release #5

The Facilitation Commission put in place by the Civil Society Initiative informs the Haitian People and the public in general that, during the course of week of February 19-23, it held informal meetings with the representatives of the Lavalas Political Organization and those of the Democratic Convergence.

These meetings allowed a discussion of the opportunities, conditions and modalities to restart the negotiations.  

Pleasant perspectives radiated in this sense and the conversation equally brought possibilities to advance beyond those realized at the first round of negotiations held at the Seat of the Nonciature and El Rancho.

The Facilitation Commission wishes moreover to specify that, as foreseen with the two parties, it does not accept to loan its good offices except in the case that the negotiations bring together all of the Crises actors.  In addition, it considers the question of the formation of a CEP and a Government of Opening as subordinate to the resolution of the Electoral Crisis and a Political Agreement.  

Port-au-Prince, February 24, 2001

For authentication
Edouard Paultre