a1901: Hemisphere Highlights from the CSIS Americas Program (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Robert Benodin <r.benodin@worldnet.att.net>

Hemisphere Highlights from the CSIS Americas Program
HAITI
May, 2002
An OAS mission, led by Canadian diplomat David Lee is heading to Haiti this
month to try to sort out a solution to Haiti's deepening political crisis.
In addition to its political woes, the IMF has estimated 2 percent shrinkage
of the Haitian economy last year, a continuing decline in per capita income,
external debt arrears, and fiscal deficit. $200
million in IDB loans are being held up until the opposition and the Aristide
administration reach agreement on new elections. Prospects for a political
settlement seem dim. Short of a real move by the recalcitrant Aristide to
open political space, restore rule of law, and make real concessions toward
political reform, the Haitian opposition
will likely have no part of Artistide's overtures to bring them into his
government. For its part, the opposition needs to make a strategic decision:
to continue to negotiate for resolution of a two-year-old set of disputed
electoral outcomes, or to focus instead on building a credible political
alternative and mobilizing the Haitian populace toward new general elections
and a post-Aristide future.
Amy Coughenour-Bentancourt