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OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CONFIDENT ABOUT ELECTORAL PROCESS IN HAITI

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, assured the Interim Prime Minister of Haiti, Gérard Latortue, of his confidence in the electoral process scheduled to take place at the beginning of the year and said the foundation has been laid for “democratic rebuilding” in Haiti.

Speaking to a protocolary meeting of the Permanent Council, Insulza underscored the work that the OAS, in collaboration with the United Nations, has carried out in Haiti to help register more than 3.5 million citizens, an estimated 80% of the eligible voting population.

“This exercise has resulted in a universe of potential voters that is considerably higher than that of the majority of our countries with a much broader democratic tradition. And it gives us pride to say that, because we believe it is the cornerstone on which the electoral process in Haiti will be carried out,” Insulza told the meeting, which was chaired by the Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis, Izben Williams.

The Secretary General underscored the efforts of Prime Minister Latortue and his government, as well as those of the international community, to set a definite date for the elections. The first round of presidential and legislative elections is scheduled for January 8.

“Of course, many problems remain to be resolved,” Insulza acknowledged. “Haiti faces significant economic, political, social and security difficulties, but we are convinced that there has been considerable progress in these areas and that there will be much greater progress if there is a democratic government, with a democratically organized state, that will allow problems to be resolved with the participation of all Haitian citizens,” he added.

The Haitian Prime Minister, for his part, thanked the OAS and its member states for their ongoing interest in supporting the “complex” transition to democracy in his country. He recognized in particular the active role of the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, as well as the UN Secretary General’s representative in Haiti, Juan Gabriel Valdés, who attended today’s meeting.

Latortue assured the OAS that his government is taking all necessary measures to ensure a reliable electoral process and to guarantee the Haitian people a democratic transition. He added that his government has undertaken a process of national dialogue, to help overcome decades of internecine conflict and to foster a climate of reconciliation.

The Prime Minister stressed that Haiti – not the interim government, but Haiti” – will need the support of the international community for the long term, to assure that it will be able to leave behind the problems of its past and reestablish democratic governance. “Haiti deserves it, and I think that Haiti is ready to assume its responsibilities vis-à-vis this confidence which you will place in it so as to ensure the greatest possible cooperation in the region,” he concluded.
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Reference: E-277/05