Media Center

Press Release

OAS REITERATES SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY IN HAITI

A high-level mission to Haiti assured that country’s authorities of the international community’s continued support for a process of democracy and stability, but stated that “it is the Haitians themselves who will have the responsibility and authority to decide how their democracy and governance can be strengthened,” the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, said today.

Ramdin was reporting to the OAS Permanent Council on the results of the mission, in which he participated over the weekend along with representatives of countries forming the Core Group on Haiti. In meeting with the Haitian transitional government authorities, including President Boniface Alexandre and Prime Minister Gérard Latortue, and with presidential candidates, civil society and other groups, the international mission called for “constructive engagement and dialogue among the political stakeholders.”

The Assistant Secretary General said that Haitian political leaders must agree now among themselves that the outcome of the elections needs to be accepted and respected, while a new President will have to commit to an inclusive approach and national reconciliation.

He said major concerns were also expressed about the security situation and that the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council, supported by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), is working on this issue in cooperation with the political parties. He said most candidates felt security was not a major concern in the rest of the country except for localized areas in Port-au-Prince.

The mission reaffirmed that “another postponement would not be an option for the international community,” Ambassador Ramdin said, recalling as well that both the President and the Prime Minister, “in no uncertain terms, stated their intention to honor the electoral calendar as established,” and that both agreed that “the alternative would be worse and would create more insecurity, uncertainty and further damage the credibility of the electoral process.”

Ramdin also detailed OAS-facilitated progress, citing the role of the OAS Electoral Assistance Mission in registering over 3.5 million voters and in coordinating the production and ongoing distribution of the national identification cards. Highlighting the success of card distribution drive, he said it “now stands at more than 80 per cent,” and that the previous postponement of the elections was not only because of card distribution.

“This was the first time in Haiti that 3.5 million people were registered for anything,” Ambassador Ramdin continued, adding, “Many Haitian citizens who never had a birth certificate now are proud holders of
their cards with photo and fingerprints.” “Now, many citizens can identify themselves, thanks to the OAS.”

Saint Lucia’s Ambassador Sonia Johnny, now Chair of the Permanent Council, presided over the meeting. Member state ambassadors expressed support for the continued OAS assistance to Haiti and also asked questions about the OAS efforts on the ground in Haiti.

Reference: E-009/06