16110: Benodin: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the situation in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

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

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the
situation in Haiti
July 10, 03--The European Union is very concerned at the resignation of the
acting head of Haiti's national police force, Mr Jean-Robert Faveur, and the
circumstances surrounding it.
The detailed explanation given by Mr Faveur of the reasons for his action,
namely the obstacles and restrictions which the political authorities had
placed in the way of the proper performance of his duties, raises serious
questions as to the Haitian government's real resolve to ensure the
impartiality and professionalism of the police.
These doubts are, moreover, confirmed by the manner in which the new acting
head of the national police force, Ms Jocelyne Pierre, was appointed, namely
in the absence of appropriate consultations with the special mission of the
Organisation of American States whose aim is to strengthen democracy in
Haiti.
With reference, as in its previous declarations on Haiti, to the European
Union's attachment to the values of democracy and the rule of law, which
govern its relations with non-member countries and lie at the heart of the
partnership entered into with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the
Union takes the view that the presence of an impartial police force, working
for the security of all citizens, constitutes a cornerstone of the rule of
law, without which democratic institutions cannot operate as they should.
Despite the renewal on 10 January 2003 of measures partly suspending its aid
to Haiti, the European Union still provides considerable cooperation of
direct benefit to the Haitian population ; this it is resolved to continue
to do.
The European Union also remains ready to participate in a programme of
technical assistance for the judiciary and the police, provided it obtains
assurances from the Haitian authorities, with a view to restoring order,
security and the rule of law.
The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated
Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries, members of
the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.