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STATEMENT BY OAS/CARICOM HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION ON ARRIVAL IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

  March 19, 2003

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - The Organization of American States/Caribbean Community (OAS/CARICOM) High-Level Delegation, led jointly by St. Lucian Foreign Minister Julian Hunte and OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi, has come to Haiti in support of the implementation of Permanent Council Resolution CP/RES. 822 (that was approved on September 4, 2002).

This unique and broadly representative high-level Delegation consists of senior representatives of the Governments of Argentina, the Bahamas, Canada, France, Mexico and the United States and with the participation of the OAS, CARICOM, the Delegation of the European Commission in Haiti and observers from the IDB, the World Bank and the IMF.

The Delegation will use this visit to emphasize the international community’s firm conviction that all sides in Haiti must honor their obligations under resolution 822 so as to end the climate of violence and insecurity. The visit is not designed to start new negotiations, but to express full and firm support for the implementation of Resolutions 806 and 822 of the Permanent Council of the OAS, by all sectors involved.

The Delegation will urge the Government of Haiti to take immediate and concrete measures to improve the security situation. It will encourage all political sectors in Haiti to participate actively in the formation of a Provisional Electoral Council as a necessary step to holding legislative and local elections in Haiti during 2003 on the basis of Resolution 822. These actions will enable Haiti and the international community to join forces to promote democracy, combat poverty and foster social and economic development.

Reference: E-060/03