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OAS SPECIAL MISSION EXPRESSES MOUNTING CONCERN REGARDING SITUATION IN GONAIVES

  February 7, 2004

Press Statement on Gonaives


The Special Representative of the OAS Secretary General today expressed the mounting concern of the Organization of American States regarding the situation in the Artibonite, following the armed attack on the central police station and other installations in Gonaives on Thursday, February 5th.

The OAS condemns unequivocally the illegal use of violence, and deplores the recent deaths, wounded and material damage. Political change, whether in Gonaives, in the North, or elsewhere in Haiti, must be effected peacefully and democratically. The response to violence is not further violence, from any quarter, but full respect by all for the rule of law.

The Special Mission accordingly calls upon the Government of Haiti to carry out its obligations in measured and impartial fashion, taking fully into account the rights of all Haitians. It also appeals to all Haitians to exercise restraint and avoid escalation, recriminations or retaliation during this difficult period, both exercising their rights and respecting their obligations as citizens.

Finally, in pursuance of OAS Resolutions AG/1959, CP/822 and CP/806, the Special Representative of the Secretary General urges the Government of Haiti to implement fully and expeditiously the undertakings agreed in Kingston January 31, 2004, a process which the Secretary General has asked the Special Mission to monitor.

Port au Prince,
February 7, 2004

Reference: HA-02-07