8214: Text of OEA Resolution: Support for Democracy in Haïti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Antoine Blanc <ablanc@acn2.net>

OEA/Ser.P
AG/doc.4044/01
5 June 2001
Original: English
RESOLUTION
SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY IN HAITI
(Adopted at the fourth plenary session held on June 5, 2001)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
BEARING IN MIND
That the preamble of the OAS Charter establishes that representative
democracy is an indispensable condition for stability, peace, and
development of the region;
That, according to the Charter, one of the essential aims of the
Organization is to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with
due respect to the principle of nonintervention; and
That, another purpose is to promote by cooperative action economic, social
and cultural development;
The Santiago Commitment on Democracy and the Renewal of the Inter-American
System (1991), the Declaration of Managua (1993), and the Declarations and
Plans of Action of the Summits of the Americas (Miami 1994, Santiago 1998)";
That the Heads of State and Government of the Americas, at their Summit in
Quebec emphasized their commitment to defend and strengthen democracy across
the Hemisphere;
The commitment of the OAS and of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to
continue their contributions to the strengthening of democracy in Haiti;
RECALLING the conclusions of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission to Haiti,
on the elections of 21 May, 2000, presented in the report to the Permanent
Council, (CP/doc.3383/00);
RECALLING ALSO Resolution CP/RES. 772 (1247/00) of 4 August 2000 in which
the Permanent Council, at the request of the Government of Haiti, authorized
the Secretary General to lead a Mission to Haiti to "identify, together with
the Government of Haiti and other sectors of the political community and
civil society, options and recommendations for resolving, as expeditiously
as possible, difficulties such as those that have arisen from differing
interpretations of the Electoral Law, and for further strengthening
democracy in that country;"
TAKING NOTE of the reports to the Permanent Council by the General
Secretariat regarding the visits to Haiti by the Secretary General and
Assistant Secretary General during the period 16 August to 10 February 2001,
and of the reports of those Missions contained in CP/doc.3349/00 of 24
August, 2000, CP/doc.3371/00 of 9 November 2000, and CP/doc.3419/01 corr.2
of 13 March, 2001;
BEARING IN MIND ALSO
The statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of
Worship of Haiti before the Permanent Council on 14 March, 2001;
The Resolution adopted by the Permanent Council of the OAS [CP/RES. 786
(1276/01)
corr. 1]; in which it resolved, "To express the conviction that the
resolution of the crisis arising from the Haitian elections of 21 May, 2000,
is essential to the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights
in Haiti;"
That the said Resolution also requested " the Secretary General to undertake
the necessary consultations with the Government of Haiti and other sectors
of the political community and civil society, bearing in mind the statement
by the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Worship, on the
potential for a dialogue to resolve the crisis arising from the elections of
21 May, 2000, and the strengthening of democracy and respect for human
rights in Haiti" and to "report on his consultations, and, as appropriate,
to propose other measures that could contribute to the strengthening of the
democratic process in Haiti;"
The statement made by the Chairman of the Third Summit of the Americas, the
Prime Minister of Canada, during the closing ceremony on 22 April, 2001,
which acknowledged the problems that continue to limit the democratic,
political, economic and social development of Haiti in the near future and
asked the Secretary General, in collaboration with CARICOM, to visit Haiti
and to report his findings to the OAS and to ensure adequate follow-up;
The 9 May, 2001 decision by the Chairman of the Conference of Caribbean
Community (CARICOM), the Prime Minister of Barbados, and the Secretary
General of the OAS to establish a joint OAS/CARICOM Mission on Haiti;
The visit of the Joint OAS-CARICOM Mission from 29-31 May, 2001, led by the
Secretary General and the former Prime Minister of Dominica, Dame Eugenia
Charles, the report on which is contained in AG/ INF.264/01;
CONCERNED that the political crisis is still unresolved and that persistent
mistrust among political actors continues to hinder the possibility of wide
ranging talks that would bring about a sustainable solution to the problems
arising from the 21 May 2000 elections, based on a general agreement among
the government of Haiti, political parties, and civil society and other
relevant institutions of Haitian society, with a view to resolving the
political crisis and strengthening democracy and respect for human rights in
that country;
RECOGNIZING the need for financial and technical assistance with the view to
contributing to the promotion of Haiti's social and economic development;
and
HAVING RECEIVED a letter from the President of Haiti to the Chairman of the
XXXI Regular Session of the General Assembly of the OAS, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica (AG/INF.260/01 corr. 1),
RESOLVES
1. To reiterate its deep concern at the continuing political crisis in
Haiti, arising from the elections of 21 May, 2000.
2. To take note of the initiative, consisting of five elements, contained in
the letter of the President of Haiti (AG/INF.260/01 corr. 1) with regard to
the process toward a definitive resolution to the current political crisis.
3. To acknowledge the concerns expressed in said letter regarding the
urgency of normalizing relations between Haiti and the international
financial institutions.
4. To urge the Government of Haiti to follow the resignations of seven
Senators with the expeditious constitution of a credible, independent and
neutral Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), composed of nine members
nominated by the Executive, Judiciary, political parties - including the
Convergence, Fanmi Lavalas, and other political parties - and churches, both
Catholic and Protestant, by 25 June, 2001. This is a necessary step to
create a climate of confidence conducive to a broad based agreement among
the Government of Haiti, political parties and civil society, and other
relevant institutions of Haitian society, with a view to resolving the
political crisis and strengthening democracy and respect for human rights in
Haiti.
5. To call upon the Government of Haiti, political parties, and civil
society and other relevant institutions of Haitian society to commit
themselves fully to this end.
6. To instruct the Secretary General to monitor and report to the Permanent
Council on implementation of the commitments contained in AG doc.260/01.
7. To instruct the Secretary General to increase his efforts, in
consultation with CARICOM and with other interested countries, to contribute
further to the resolution of the existing political crisis in Haiti, to its
social and economic development, the strengthening of democracy and the
respect for human rights in that country.
8. To invite the Secretary General to establish a Group of Friends on Haiti
from interested OAS member states and permanent observers to assist him in
these efforts.
9. To request the Permanent Council to examine, as a matter of urgency, the
mandate, modalities, budget, financing and other arrangements concerning the
establishment of a possible Mission to Haiti.
10. To instruct the Secretary General to work jointly with member states
towards normalizing relations between Haiti and the international community,
including the international financial institutions, as progress is achieved
in reaching a sustainable solution to the crisis arising from the 21 May
2000 elections.
11. To instruct the Secretary General to report to the Permanent Council or
the General Assembly as appropriate on the implementation of this
resolution.



Antoine Blanc
Télé-Haïti & RFI-Haïti
B.P. 1126
HT 6110 Port-au-Prince
Ph. (+509) 222-8310 & 222-4724
Fax (+509) 222-9140