8817: OAS Press Release Condemning Violence (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com

Organization of American States
 
Press Release                                                                                                         (E-165/01)
July 31, 2001

OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CONDEMNS VIOLENCE, 

CALLS FOR THE CONTINUATION OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE IN HAITI

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), César Gaviria, strongly condemned the acts of violence that occurred in Haiti on Saturday, in which several police stations were attacked and five police officers killed.

?These incidents are deplorable. I would like to express my sympathy and solidarity to the families of the victims,? said Gaviria. 

?A thorough investigation must be conducted by the proper authorities to clarify the exact nature of the events,? added the Secretary General.

Gaviria also expressed his support to Haitian democratic institutions and urged all political leaders to avoid the intensification of tensions and to preserve the climate of dialogue and understanding that has prevailed in recent weeks.

?The solution to the political crisis in Haiti will come only through the continuation of the negotiation process that is in place and only with a political agreement, such as the one all parties have been decisively working to achieve. Saturday?s incidents cannot be allowed to disturb the efforts already underway to search for a sustainable solution to the problems of Haiti,? underscored the OAS Secretary General. 

The OAS has been seeking to broker a resolution to the political crisis in Haiti that began with disputed legislative elections in May 2000. In the last two months, since the OAS General Assembly called for increased efforts to resolve the situation, a joint OAS/Caribbean Community mission has visited the country four times.

 
**********