(E-181/00) October 11, 2000   OAS SENDING MISSION BACK TO HAITI TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luigi Einaudi, is heading back to Haiti tomorrow to continue efforts to foster dialogue towards political stability there. Ambassador Einaudi made the announcement at a meeting of the Permanent Council today, after giving a progress report on the OAS' Mission to Haiti, mandated by resolution to help bring the government and major political parties as well as civil society groups into discussion, aimed at strengthening democracy and resolving political differences over conflicting interpretations of the results of senatorial elections held last May. "That will inevitably have important implications for this Organization and for its member states," said Einaudi of any agreement to emerge on how to approach the problems posed by last May's local and parliamentary elections as well as presidential elections next November 26. "We will probably need to develop and lead a follow-up mechanism to accompany Haiti's efforts." Einaudi suggested that such a mechanism could perhaps be modeled on the special OAS mission the OAS Secretary General and Canada's Foreign Minister are leading to promote dialogue in Peru. "The OAS is in the forefront of international efforts to help Haiti and a great deal is riding on our efforts." The OAS Mission had left Haiti on September 29 without an accord but, said Mr. Einaudi, "all parties agreed on the vital importance and need for a dialogue." He said the ruling Lavalas Party "repeated some signs of flexibility" and the opposition "began to define their positions as a result of which a possible framework for negotiation began to emerge." Haiti's delegation led off the response, with Jean Ricot Dormeus, the Chargé d'Affaires at the Permanent Mission to the OAS, thanking the OAS for facilitating the dialogue. According to Dormeus, the government was doing everything to ensure November's elections are free, fair, transparent and democratic. A number of delegations also addressed the Haiti question and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kingsley Layne, speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations, said CARICOM supports efforts to clarify the electoral procedures so that the people of Haiti can receive the necessary international support and assistance. ******