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OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING
HAITI’S DEMOCRACY
June 8, 2004
The Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly today
adopted a resolution instructing its Permanent Council to “undertake, in
accordance with the principles and purposes of the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, including article 20, all necessary diplomatic initiatives, including
good offices, to foster full restoration of democracy in Haiti.” The Assembly of
the hemisphere’s Foreign Ministers urged Haiti’s transitional government at the
same time to continue creating conditions conducive to free, fair and democratic
elections as soon as possible.
The 18-point “consensus resolution on Haiti” was introduced to the General
Assembly Tuesday evening by Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister
Harold Lovell, whose country currently chairs the Conference of Heads of
Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Lovell stressed CARICOM’s
unwavering commitment to “remain engaged in Haiti, notwithstanding recent
setbacks,” based on the sub-regional bloc’s moral obligation to Haiti.
The resolution as well urges all segments of Haitian society to begin dialogue
and national reconciliation, to facilitate a democratic, peaceful and electoral
solution to the current crisis.
It further calls on the OAS Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti,
in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter,
to assist the country’s Provisional Electoral Council in preparing, organizing
and overseeing elections and posting the results, in coordination with the
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The Permanent Council
is to review the Special Mission’s mandates, and the international community and
international financial institutions are urged to fulfill their commitments to
strengthen democracy in Haiti. Press Releases Reference: GA-018-04 |
