15044: Benodin: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

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

European Union
Brussels, 7 March 2003
6797/03 (Presse 57)
P 24/03
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Haiti

The European Union attaches great importance to the respect for democratic
values and the rule of law that governs its relations with third countries.
These values are at the heart of the partnership between the European Union
and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP). Since democracy had not
been re-established in Haiti after the fraud in the May 2000 Senate
elections, which favor the candidates of the "Fanmi Lavalas" party, the
European Union renewed on 10 January 2003 the measures partially suspending
its aid to Haiti. However, it is continuing with those cooperation
programmes that directly benefit the people. The Union stands ready to
revise these measures at any time as the situation develops.
The OAS adopted Resolution 822 in September 2002, with the agreement of the
Haitian authorities, which immediately undertook to implement it. The
European Union believes that the said
Resolution contains all that is necessary to end the crisis and relaunch a
credible electoral process, and notes that it is the responsibility of the
authorities to protect democratic pluralism, freedom of expression and
individual rights.
The European Union is alarmed at recent reports of increases in threats and
intimidating behavior towards journalists and human rights and opposition
militants, as well as towards civil society and trade union leaders, by
armed individuals many of whom belong to popular organizations or mafia
groups. It urges President Aristide to put an end to these actions, which
are contrary to the rule of law and democracy, and to re-establish good
governance in order to set the country on the road to peace and prosperity.
The European Union expects that the provisional electoral council be put in
place rapidly so that the process of preparing for the future elections can
commence. It voices the hope that all the parties will shortly be able to
appoint their representatives to it.