19139: Esser: Text of OAS Peace Plan (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com


OEA/Ser.G
CP/RES. 861 (1400/04)

19 February 2004

Original: French 
 
CP/RES. 861 (1400/04) 
SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC ORDER AND STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN HAITI 
 
 
THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES, 

HAVING HEARD the remarks of the Permanent Representative of Haiti
about the events that have occurred since February 5, 2004, which
have disrupted public order in many regions of the country, in
particular the city of Gonaïves, and resulted in the loss of numerous
human lives; 

DEEPLY CONCERNED by the gravity of the current situation, the
tenacity of the political crisis, the enormous socioeconomic
challenges, particularly extreme poverty and its devastating effects
on the Haitian people and the polarization that characterizes the
political situation in Haiti; 

CONCERNED ALSO by the growing humanitarian crisis and the plight of
the civilian population affected by the current violence; 

RECOGNIZING that violence and armed gangs constitute a major obstacle
to governability and progress toward a peaceful, negotiated,
democratic, and constitutional resolution to the political crisis in
Haiti; 

CONSIDERING that the Charter of the Organization of American States
recognizes that representative democracy is an indispensable
condition for the stability, peace, and development of the region,
and that one of the main purposes of the OAS is to promote and
consolidate it, with due respect for the principle of
nonintervention;  

REAFFIRMING that the Inter-American Democratic Charter proclaims that
"the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their
governments have an obligation to promote and defend it" and that
"essential elements of representative democracy include, inter alia,
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, access to and the
exercise of power in accordance with the rule of law, the holding of
periodic, free, and fair elections based on secret balloting and
universal suffrage as an _expression of the sovereignty of the
people, the pluralistic system of political parties and
organizations, and the separation of powers and independence of the
branches of government";  

REAFFIRMING the spirit of resolution AG/DEC. 31 (XXXIII-O/03), which
states that democratic governance requires the responsible
participation of all social actors in building the necessary
consensus to strengthen its democracies;  

REAFFIRMING the importance of resolutions CP/RES. 822 (1331/02),
"Support for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti"; CP/RES. 806 (1303/02)
corr. 1, "The Situation in Haiti"; and CP/RES. 786 (1267/01),
"Support for Democracy in Haiti"; 

REAFFIRMING ALSO the importance of resolutions AG/RES. 1959
(XXXIII-O/03), "Support for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti";
AG/RES. 1841 (XXXII-O/02), "The Situation in Haiti"; and AG/RES. 1831
(XXXI-O/01), "Support for Democracy in Haiti," adopted by the General
Assembly; 

RECOGNIZING the important role of the OAS Special Mission for
Strengthening Democracy in Haiti; and 

WELCOMING the important initiative of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) to help to resolve the current crisis, 

RESOLVES: 

1. To condemn vehemently, and call for an immediate end to, the
violence in several regions of Haiti, to deplore the loss of lives
and physical damage which have resulted from the current crisis, and
to condemn criminal elements and activities that defy the rule of law
and established government institutions. 

2. To express its support for constitutional order in Haiti and its
firm support to the CARICOM initiative aimed at promoting a peaceful
resolution of the situation in Haiti.  

3. To call on all relevant Haitian actors to comply with the
confidence-building measures proposed in the CARICOM Prior Action
Plan adopted at the meeting on Haiti in Kingston, Jamaica, on January
31, 2004 and which states, inter alia: 

- Compliance with relevant OAS resolutions

- Need to negotiate rules for demonstrations

- Release of detainees

- Disarmament of armed gangs

- Establishment of a broad-based advisory council

- Appointment of a new government through the identification of a
neutral and independent Prime Minister who enjoys the public trust

- Implementation of the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society. 

4. To express its firm support for the Government of the President of
Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in its efforts to restore public order
by constitutional means and to call upon it to fulfill all
commitments and adhere to the timeframes outlined in the CARICOM
initiative, including commitments arising from relevant resolutions
of the OAS. 

5. To call specifically 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. 

6. To call upon 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.  

7. To call upon the Government of Haiti to respect the rights,
especially the human rights, of all citizens and residents of Haiti,
and to call upon all Haitians to respect the rule of law. 

8. To call upon the Government to take all appropriate measures to
strengthen its support for the effective implementation of the
mandate of the OAS Special Mission. 

9. To reiterate its firm support for the efforts of the OAS Special
Mission to contribute to strengthening Haitiís democratic
institutions and to call on the member states and other members and
organizations of the international community to bolster the Special
Missionís efforts, through the provision of financial and personnel
support. 

10. To request the OAS Special Mission to support the CARICOM
initiative in meeting its objectives and to instruct the Secretary
General to continue to cooperate with CARICOM in seeking a solution
to the crisis in Haiti. 

11. To launch an appeal for international solidarity to support the
efforts of the Haitian Government and people to find a peaceful
resolution to the current crisis and to prevent a further
deterioration of the humanitarian and socioeconomic situation.
.