19203: Esser: Caricom won't recognise unconstitutional gov't in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

The Jamaica Observer
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com

Caricom won't recognise unconstitutional gov't in Haiti
Tells opposition to end violence

Observer Reporter
Wednesday, February 25, 2004


THE Caribbean Community (Caricom) yesterday warned the Haitian
opposition and rebel insurgents it will not recognise a government
that comes to office by unconstitutional means and called for a
negotiated, political solution to the country's crisis.

At the same time Jamaica's prime minister, P J Patterson, who is also
Caricom's chairman, said that he has put his foreign minister, K D
Knight, on stand-by to fly to the United Nations in New York, in the
event of an urgent Security Council meeting to authorise a
peace-keeping force for the French-speaking Caribbean nation.

In Washington yesterday, US officials indicated that the Americans
may seek UN authorisation for such a force but suggested that would
depend on whether the Haitian opposition signed on a settlement plan
that would see embattled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide remained in
office, but sharing power. He would name a new prime minister and
government.

French President Jacques Chirac said his country was ready to
consider contributing to any eventual peacekeeping force in its
former colony, but only one approved by the United Nations.

Prime Minister P J Patterson, at yesterday's press briefing at
Jamaica House to discuss the crisis in Haiti. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

The official opposition, up to late yesterday, continued to resist
that plan, which was drafted by Caricom but embraced by the US and
other countries, and armed rebels maintained control over several
Haitian towns, including the country's second largest city of
Cap-Hatien and the port town of Gonaives.

The rebels pledged to head for the capital of Port-au-Prince and the
formal opposition was adamant that any resolution to the crisis
rested with Aristide's resignation and departure from the country.

"Caricom cannot support the unconstitutional removal of the
government of any member of that body, Haiti included," Patterson
told reporters. "And we will not recognise any government that comes
to office, by unconstitutional, illegitimate means."

Speaking in his capacity as the current chairman of the trade and
economic bloc, the Jamaican leader said that there was need for
support of the Haiti's nascent democracy and called for an end to the
violence that has left more than 70 people dead since February 5 and
the country on the brink of chaos.

"Caricom condemns, and calls for an immediate end to the violence,"
Patterson said. "We deplore the loss of lives and the physical damage
which has resulted from the current crisis. We condemn the criminal
elements and those illegal activities that defy the rule of law and
established institutions of government."

Jamaica has borne the early brunt of what, if the violence continues,
could be a mass exodus of refugees. More than 60 Haitian boat people
have arrived here in the past week-and-a-half and more were believed
to be on their way.
With the opposition preparing to formally announce their rejection of
the peace plan today, Aristide appealed to the world for help to
avert a bloodbath and a massive outflow of refugees.

The death toll would be high from a rebel attack of the capital of
the capital, he said.

"Should those killers come to Port-au-Prince, you may have thousands
of people who may be killed," Aristide warned, saying the rebels had
taken their fight overnight to the northwest town of Port-de-Paix.

"We need the presence of the international community as soon as
possible," he said.

Meanwhile, rebel leader Guy Philippe told The Associated Press he did
not want to install a military dictatorship but is seeking to
re-establish the army that was disbanded after ousting President
Aristide during his first presidency in 1991.
.