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OEA/Ser.G
CP/DEC. 30 (1528/06)
10 February 2006
Original: Spanish |
CP/DEC. 30 (1528/06)
DECLARATION OF THE
PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
ON THE ELECTIONS HELD IN HAITI
(Adopted at its
session held on February 10, 2006)
The Permanent Council of the Organization
of American States congratulates the nation of Haiti for an outstanding
display of patriotism and civic duty during the general elections which
were held peacefully on February 7, 2006.
The Permanent Council congratulates the
Interim Government of Haiti, the Provisional Electoral Council of Haiti
(CEP), and its Director General for overcoming logistical,
infrastructural, and other obstacles in order that the citizens of Haiti
might exercise their right to universal suffrage and express their
democratic will for the formation of the next government. Very large
numbers of citizens lined up to vote in the pre-dawn darkness, and
remained patiently in line, in some cases for hours, in order to
exercise their right to vote.
The Council notes that there were no
major security problems during the elections, thanks to the efforts of
the Haitian National Police and the United Nations Stabilization Mission
in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and because of the great will of the Haitian people
to vote in peace.
The Permanent Council urges the General
Secretariat of the OAS to continue providing expert technical assistance
to the CEP to help correct the problems that surfaced during the first
round and to guarantee the success of the second round of the elections,
which will be held on March 19, 2006.
The Permanent Council calls on all
political actors, civil society, and the citizenry in general to respect
the outcome of the elections. It calls upon the next government of Haiti
to promote a climate of national reconciliation and dialogue by reaching
out to all political sectors in an effort to construct the institutions
necessary for the democratic development of the country and for the
normalization of Haiti’s international relations.
The Permanent Council understands that
free and fair elections are but a first step towards strengthening
democracy and the rule of law and promoting economic development in
Haiti. It urges the international community to work with the new
government on a long-term plan for economic, social, and political
development of the country. The international community, at the request
of the democratically elected government of Haiti, must be ready to
maintain its presence in Haiti as long as that government considers it
necessary. The Council also wishes to congratulate the members of the
OAS Electoral Mission in Haiti, the OAS Special Mission in Haiti, and
the MINUSTAH for their tireless support to the Interim Government and
the CEP.
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