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OAS Secretary General Statement on the Kidnapping of OAS Officials in Haiti

  December 30, 2005

The Organization of American States yesterday learned that two officials working on behalf of the Organization in Haiti, along with the spouse of one of them, were kidnapped in this country. The officials are information technology specialists who were working to set up technical equipment in preparation for Haiti’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, expressed strong condemnation of the incident and concern for the families of the three persons who were kidnapped. The OAS is working at the highest level with Haitian authorities and international partners to secure the safe and timely release of the kidnapped individuals.

Secretary General Insulza mandated Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, to coordinate efforts in this regard and to maintain constant contact with the Haitian authorities and the OAS Special Mission in Haiti.

The Organization of American States calls on all sectors of Haitian society to reject this and other acts of violence and to assist local authorities and the international community in their efforts to restore peace and security to Haiti.

Reference: E-299/05