21773: Esser: Interim Prime Minister speaks before OAS--CARICOM representatives leave room (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haîtienne de Presse AHP

May 6, 2004

The Haitian Interim Prime Minister speaks before the OAS Permanent
Council: CARICOM representatives leave the room

Washington, May 6, 2004 -(AHP)- Interim Prime Minister Gérard
Latortue spoke this Thursday before the Permanent Council in the
context of a tour in the United States to try to get funds for his
government.

On the occasion, Gérard Latortue reaffirmed his government's
intention to organize good elections in the country, and he declared
that he hopes Fanmi Lavalas joins in the new Provisionary Electoral
Council. He also reiterated his commitment to disarm the groups
illegally armed in the country.

The rebels and armed supporters of the opposition who took the arms
against President Aristide are still in force in different regions of
the country.

CARICOM members slammed the OAS' door at the time of Gérard Latortue's
speech.

In answer to this affront, the head of provisional government
expressed the wish that last March's misunderstanding with CARICOM
gets solved as quickly as possible. He even pleaded in favor of the
organization's participation to the UN force deployed in Haiti in
June.

Gérard Latortue had disagreeable words towards the CARICOM and called
back his ambassador in Jamaica after the Prime Minister of this
country, Percival Patterson, decided to welcome President Aristide
shortly after his hasty departure from Haiti on February 29th.

For his part, OAS Assistant Secretary of State Luigi Einaudi warned
the Haitian provisional prime minister against any attempt to
integrate former rebels in the country's political life. Mr. Latortue
had presented them as freedom fighters at the end of March.

Former rebels consider they were fooled with promises that they would
play a part in the post-Aristide government.

Gérard Lartortue should have a meeting at the White House at the end
of the day with President Bush's adviser for national security,
Condoleeza Rice.

The Haitian Prime Minister who will be back in the country this
Friday hasn't received any formal promises of aid. Wednesday,
American Secretary of State Colin Powell had reaffirmed his country's
support to the interim government, but had given no figures.

For the moment, only the BID could pay out about 15 million dollars
for Haiti. But the FMI must give the OK first.
.