13053: Chamberlain (news item): Haiti-OAS (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 4 (AP) -- The Organization of American States has
urged the resumption of blocked aid to Haiti, saying member countries are
concerned about a possible "humanitarian disaster" in the hemisphere's
poorest nation.
   In a resolution approved by the OAS in Washington on Wednesday, the
diplomatic organization backed the "normalization of economic cooperation
between the government of Haiti and the international financial
institutions" that froze hundreds of millions of dollars in aid after
disputed 2000 elections.
   "This is great news," Haitian Finance Minister Faubert Gustave said in
the capital of Port-au-Prince, adding that he hopes international donors
"will follow through."
   The aid amounts to about $500 million, and includes about $150 million
in low-interest loans from the Inter-American Development Bank, officials
said.
   The international community, including the United States and European
countries, blocked aid to the government after President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide's party swept more than 80 percent of legislative and local seats
in 2000 elections. The opposition charged the elections were rigged.
   The OAS determined that winners were wrongly declared in seven Senate
races that should have gone to a second round, and said aid would be frozen
until the government and opposition agreed on new elections.
   OAS officials tried more than 20 times to broker an agreement, but
failed. Haiti's chronically depressed economy, meanwhile, further declined.
   The 34 members of the OAS Permanent Council unanimously backed the
resolution, in which they urged Haiti and foreign donors to "resolve the
technical and financial obstacles" to the restoration of aid.
   They cited "the continuing deterioration of the socio-economic situation
in Haiti ... and its potential for humanitarian disaster."
   The OAS also urged the holding of new elections next year, and called
for "the restoration of a climate of security."
   Aristide's Lavalas Family party and the opposition alliance Convergence
broke off talks on the holding of new elections after a Dec. 17 armed
attack on the National Palace. At least 10 people were killed in the attack
and subsequent violence.
   U.S. representative Peter DeShazo said the U.S. government "reserves the
right to make decisions on international financial institution projects in
Haiti on the merits of each individual proposal."
   This year's $55 million U.S. aid package to Haiti is being channeled
through non-governmental organizations. The European Union has promised a
five-year, $350 million aid package if the government and opposition agree
on new elections.
   "Lavalas and Convergence, as fellow Haitians, will continue their
dialogue with mutual respect," Aristide said Wednesday after returning from
the World Summit in South Africa.
   He did not comment on the OAS resolution, but urged the opposition to
resume talks.
   Convergence refuses to negotiate with the government until Aristide
supporters are disarmed and those accused of political violence are brought
to justice.
   "We never asked the OAS to block aid to Haiti," said Convergence
spokesman Mischa Gaillard. "Let's hope the money from resumed aid will
serve the people and not be diverted into the pockets of our corrupt
rulers."