18906: White: OAS Press Release for CP/RES. 861 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

This is the press release that accompanied the resolution that has
already been posted to the list


Organization of American States
http://www.oas.org

OAS PERMANENT COUNCIL CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN HAITI
AND SUPPORTS CARICOM ACTION PLAN

February 19, 2004

The Organization of American States (OAS) today strongly condemned
the violence in Haiti and expressed its support for constitutional
order in that country, while renewing its firm support for the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) initiative to promote a peaceful
resolution of the Haitian political crisis.

The OAS Permanent Council, in special session, adopted a resolution
underscoring its "firm support for the government of the President of
Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in its efforts to restore public order
by constitutional means." The Council called on the government "to
fulfill all commitments and adhere to the timeframes outlined in the
CARICOM initiative, including commitments arising from relevant
resolutions of the OAS."

Member states also called on the democratic political opposition and
civil society to "act responsibly, denounce the use of violence,
fulfill their responsibilities and engage in the democratic process
in accordance with the CARICOM proposal." The resolution called on
all parties involved in the current crisis to ensure the "full, safe,
and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel and assistance to all
civilians who need it."

Urging the Haitian government to "respect the rights, especially the
human rights, of all citizens and residents of Haiti," the OAS
resolution also called on all Haitians to respect the rule of law,
and urged the government to take all appropriate measures to
strengthen its support for the effective implementation of the
mandate of the OAS Special Mission for the Strengthening of Democracy
in Haiti.

In updating the Council on the latest developments in his country,
where dozens of people have been killed in violent uprisings in
recent days, Haitian Ambassador Raymond Valcin said the government
had, among other steps, renewed its invitation for the opposition to
engage in dialogue to prevent a total collapse of the country's
democracy. Valcin said his government had sought OAS support because
the Organization has been assisting his country since the beginning
of its political crisis and because it is the leading hemispheric
defender of democracy.


During the meeting, member state representatives underscored the
gravity of the situation in Haiti and the urgent need for
international support for efforts aimed at bolstering the
constitutional order in that country. The Permanent Council Chairman,
Ambassador Paul Durand of Canada, cited several other initiatives and
statements issued by international organizations in recent days
concerning the situation in Haiti.




<http://www.oas.org/OASpage/Haiti_situation/default_year.asp?nYear=2004>Situation
in Haiti
<http://www.oas.org/consejo/resolutions/res861.htm>Resolution


<http://www.oas.org/OASpage/press_releases/home_eng/press.asp>Press Releases