Media Center

Press Release


GERMAN GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION BOOSTS OAS MISSION IN HAITI

  March 4, 2004

A contribution of $100,000 from the German government will help the Organization of American States (OAS) Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti. The funds will go towards programs relating to education for democracy, police training, judicial reform and strengthening the electoral process in Haiti.

Ambassador Peter Scholz, Director General for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs in the German Foreign Affairs Ministry, presented the check to Secretary General César Gaviria at OAS Headquarters March 3. He underscored the German government’s firm commitment to help strengthen democracy and the rule of law worldwide, declaring, “It is very meaningful that at this very moment we help in the situation in Haiti.”

The government of Germany is strongly committed to multilateralism and to a strong role for regional organizations, he added, elaborating on his government’s support for the OAS initiatives in Haiti.

Welcoming the gift, the Secretary General thanked the German government, noting how useful the funds will be in helping the Organization in its work through the Special Mission in Haiti, whose activities include police training, human rights monitoring and efforts to help bolster the justice system.

Gaviria said the German government’s contribution, as well as support from OAS member and non-member countries and other institutions, would go a long way in helping the people of Haiti.

Reference: E-033/04