CP/DEC. 29 (1525/06)

DECLARATION OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HAITI

 (Adopted at its session held on January 6, 2006)

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) met today to hear a report by the Secretary General, Mr. José Miguel Insulza, regarding the postponement of presidential and legislative elections in Haiti. The Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Duly Brutus, also presented his points of view on the situation in his country.

The members of the Permanent Council then exchanged views on the situation resulting from the postponement of the elections and agreed on the following statement:

1. The Permanent Council regards this latest postponement of elections in Haiti with grave concern. The OAS has always viewed the current institutional state of affairs in Haiti as a temporary situation that would lead to a normalization of the democratic process through the holding of free, transparent, and participatory elections.

2. The Permanent Council considers that there are no valid technical reasons to continue postponing the elections and that problems pending can shortly be solved. Ongoing operational and security issues in no way justify further delay.

3. Consequently, the Permanent Council requests the governmental and electoral authorities of the sister Republic of Haiti to decide immediately on a definitive date for presidential and legislative elections, to be held by February 7, 2006, thereby leaving it to the Haitian people to make a final decision regarding the end of the process of transition and paving the way to full democracy.

4. The Council condemns the acts of violence and kidnappings perpetrated by criminal groups, and expresses its certainty that the people of Haiti will be able to forge their own destiny in a peaceful and democratic manner. The Permanent Council requests the Haitian authorities, in particular the Haitian National Police, in collaboration with the UN/MINUSTAH and in keeping with its mandate, to continue to do their utmost to prevent and control the insecurity that now prevails.

5. The Permanent Council appreciates the work done by the Interim Government of Haiti and the Provisional Electoral Council, with support from the OAS and the UN missions, with a view to holding these elections. In particular, it appreciates and supports the efforts of the OAS Special Mission in the tasks related to voter registration, the issuance and distribution of voter identity cards, and the voter rolls. The Secretary General reported that more than 80 percent of voters had registered and that almost two million of the new cards had been handed out.

6. The Permanent Council urges the Haitian people to resolve their political differences through democratic mechanisms and procedures. The Permanent Council reiterates that, during this election process and thereafter, Haiti can rest assured that it can continue to count on the ongoing, fraternal support of all the member states of the OAS.