16759: (Hermantin)Maimi-Herald-EU will hold aid until criteria met (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Wed, Sep. 17, 2003


HAITI
EU will hold aid until criteria met


BRUSSELS -- (AP) -- The European Union said Tuesday it was dismayed by the
political situation in Haiti and what it called ''ever more frequent and
serious violations'' of human rights and freedoms.

In a statement, the 15 EU governments deplored recent violence in
Cap-Haitien between opponents and supporters of President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide's government and ''the brutal intervention'' by the national
police.

Haitian government spokesman Mario Dupuy denied there was any increase in
human rights violations in the country. Reacting to the accusation of police
brutality, Dupuy said: ``The constitution authorizes demonstrations, but
they must be peaceful. The police intervention was appropriate to prevent a
violent clash.''

The EU also expressed ''particular concern'' about information that
elections may be held that would not be in accordance with resolutions
passed by the Organization of American States, noting that EU aid to Haiti
will not resume until the obligations set out in those resolutions are met.

''The European Union once again calls on the Haitian authorities to take the
necessary steps to restore a climate of security capable of restoring
confidence so that the electoral process can ensure the greatest possible
participation by Haitian civil society,'' the statement said.

Dupuy said the EU ``should encourage civil society and opposition to
participate in elections.''

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