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GERMANY CONTRIBUTES TO OAS MISSION IN HAITI

  May 17, 2002

The government of Germany has donated more than $90,000 (100,000 euros) to the Organization of American States' (OAS) Special Mission to Strengthen Democracy in Haiti. The funds will be used to support the mission's work in the education areas of democracy and human rights, training of police and the support of judicial reform.

Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, who represents Germany at the OAS, offered the contribution in a letter this week to OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi R. Einaudi.

Referring to the OAS Special Mission, Ambassador Ischinger acknowledged that his government is "aware of the difficult situation of the people of Haiti, welcomes this initiative and has decided to lend its support." Germany became an OAS permanent observer in 1972.

Ambassador Einaudi noted that Germany "has been a partner and friend to the Organization and over the years has shown support for democracy in this hemisphere."

"This contribution, which comes just as the Commissions inquiring into the violence of December 17, 2001 are preparing their findings, is further proof of the breadth of international support for democracy in Haiti," Einaudi said.

Reference: E-099/02