a1282: Haiti inagurates new prime minister (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 15 (Reuters) - Former Senate President Yvon
Neptune was inaugurated Haitian prime minister on Friday as the man who
picked him to run the government, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, pledged
to seek a way out of a 22-month political impasse in the Caribbean nation.
     "The Haitian state can't deliver good services to the people without a
political solution," Aristide said in a speech during the ceremony, adding
he was optimistic about the prospects of getting a dialogue going with the
opposition.
     The dispute between Aristide's ruling Lavalas Party and the main
opposition group, Democratic Convergence, erupted over the results of
parliamentary elections in May 2000 and has dragged on until now, holding
up foreign aid and marring the first year of Aristide's second term in
office.
     Aristide appointed Neptune, a 55-year-old architect and Lavalas
member, earlier this month to fill the post left vacant when Prime Minister
Jean Marie Cherestal stepped down on Jan. 21 amid allegations of corruption
and incompetence.
     Haiti's parliament, dominated by the Lavalas party, overwhelmingly
ratified the nomination after Neptune outlined his program for them late on
Thursday night.
     But the opposition expressed doubt about Neptune's ability to heal
rifts. "Prime Minister Yvon Neptune is a bad signal sent by President
Aristide because this politician is not a man of consensus and dialogue,"
spokesman Paul Denis said.
     Neptune, who resigned as senate president to become prime minister,
pledged to work toward resolving the political impasse.
     "My government intends to work with the opposition, other key sectors
and the international community to help the country find a solution to the
political crisis," Neptune told parliament on Thursday evening. "My
government will be very open to rebuild unity among the Haitian people."
     Democratic Convergence said the results from the voting in 2000 were
tabulated to give Lavalas more seats than it won, and refused to take part
in November 2000 presidential elections that Aristide won.
     Both sides have stalled on working out a compromise on re-running
elections.
     Foreign donors, anxious to see Haiti establish solid democratic
credentials after decades of dictatorship, have held up millions of dollars
in aid pending resolution of the election impasse.