Haiti still Caricom
Latortue sends last minute letter
Stabroek News
March 28, 2004
Caricom leaders say relations with Haiti's interim government are still the subject of a review, which will continue when they meet in July.
But at the end of the 15th Inter-Sessional Meeting in St Kitts on Friday the Heads of Government maintained that "Haiti remains a member of the Caribbean Community and indeed a welcome partner in the regional integration movement." However, in the statement from the Caricom Secretariat, they made it clear that they still want an investigation into the removal of President Jean Bertrand Aristide as well as early elections to return the troubled state under democratic rule.
They held talks on Haiti late into Friday night and initial reports suggested that they had resolved not to recognise the interim administration. But even as their deliberations were nearing conclusion they received a letter from interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerald Latortue, after which they agreed to review Haiti's participation when they next meet, which will be in July at the annual Conference of the Heads of Government.
Caricom leaders noted that there had been "an interruption of the democratic process in Haiti," and reiterated an earlier decree, that "no action should be taken to legitimise rebel forces."
At an emergency summit in Jamaica earlier in the month, the leaders said the St Kitts meeting would have been used to discuss whether Haiti should be suspended from the grouping because of the changes in government.
This was followed by public declarations by Latortue, alluding to the freezing of relations with Caricom and member state Jamaica, which was singled out for hosting a visit by Aristide. Latortue was invited to issue a statement to clarify these remarks before the St Kitts meeting but he failed to do so and the leaders cancelled a planned meeting with him on the day before the conference started.
In the interval before the conference in July, the Caricom governments have decided to reconstitute the Core Group of Caricom Prime Ministers on Haiti, under the leadership of new Chairman and newly-elected President of Antigua, Baldwin Spencer. They have chosen to designate a special envoy as an adjunct to the Core Group, who will advance their interests on issues related to Haiti and interface with the international community and partners for Haiti's rehabilitation.
The third decision taken by the governments is to accept proposals of the Caricom Secretary General, Edwin Carrington, about the creation of a task force to co-ordinate their assistance to Haiti.
Meanwhile, they also exchanged views with the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, the statement also noted.
"Heads of Government emphasised the critical importance of transparency and the fullest engagement in free, fair and open dialogue and communication in the interface between the Community's partners in the international community and itself, to avoid any misunderstandings and misperceptions," it read. They also appealed for the international community to provide support and assistance for humanitarian relief to Haiti.
They also reiterated their commitment to the guidelines for governance and democracy in the region and their call for an investigation into Aristide's expulsion. In the aftermath of his exile, Caricom called for a UN-led investigation into the circumstances of his removal, citing concerns about the transfer of power from a constitutionally-elected Head of State.
Caricom leaders also stressed the need for free and fair elections in an acceptable timeframe to ensure the return of constitutional democracy. But in this vein, they expressed concern about the continuing instability, insecurity, violence and human rights violations.