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STATEMENT OF OAS SECRETARY GENERAL ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HAITI

  February 29, 2004

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), César Gaviria, today offered the Organization's continuing support to the new constitutional government of Haiti under Justice Boniface Alexandre, President of the Cour de Cassation (Supreme Court), who was sworn in today, February 29, as interim President, following the resignation of President Jean Bertrand Aristide.

Secretary General Gaviria called on the people of Haiti “to work together to restore public order and to strengthen the institutions of state.” He said that “a resolution of the centuries-old socio-economic problems faced by Haiti can only be achieved by means of a democratic framework of dialogue, negotiation and a modus vivendi in which the interests and human rights of all Haitians will be taken into account.” In this regard, he committed to continuing OAS cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in applying the CARICOM Prior Action Plan originally adopted in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 31 2004, and with the United Nations.

Gaviria said further, “The OAS calls on all Haitians, and especially the leaders, in government, in the political parties, in civil society, and in the churches to urge restraint and calm and to search for the greater good, which is the development of the country and the satisfaction of its people's needs. The OAS and its Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti will continue to accompany the people and the government of Haiti in this quest.”

Reference: E-031/04