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June
11, 2001
Aristide Pledges New Electoral Commission
Contact:
Michelle Karshan, Foreign Press Liaison to President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Tel.:
(011509) 228-2058, Email: mkarshan@aol.com
In a statement to the press during an impromptu interview
while attending services for World Children's Day at Trinity
Church in Port-au-Prince on Sunday, June 10th, President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide reiterated that a new provisional
electoral council will be in place by June 25th. The President
stated that the government is continuing to contact all
sectors for consultation in furtherance of the formation
of the new council. Responding to a question regarding
the Convergence's continued refusal to be part of the
consultation towards the formation of the electoral council,
the President stated that he "hope[s] that all concerned
sectors will understand that for the good of the country,
for Haiti's future, if they answer yes, that will benefit
the entire country." However, the President stated that
in a democracy "they have the right to refuse. I have
to respect their right." President Aristide said that
the government will continue "to encourage them through
dialogue and mutual respect to participate."
The formation of a new provisional electoral council
is one of the initiatives put forth by President Aristide
in a letter to the OAS. The five elements contained
in the President's letter have become part of a resolution
passed by the OAS. Regarding the formation of a new
provisional electoral council, the OAS resolution says,
"to urge the Government of Haiti to follow the resignations
of seven Senators with the expeditious constitution
of a credible, independent and neutral Provisional Electoral
Council (CEP), composed of nine members nominated by
the Executive, Judiciary, political parties - including
the Convergence, Fanmi Lavalas, and other political
parities - and churches, both Catholic and Protestant,
by 25 June, 2001. This is a necessary step to create
a climate of confidence conducive to a broad based agreement
among the Government of Haiti, political parties and
civil society, and other relevant institutions of Haitian
society, with a view to resolving the political crisis
and strengthening democracy and respect of human rights
in Haiti."
The formation of the provisional electoral council
will be consistent with Haitian law as described in
the democratically elected Constitution of 1987.
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Haiti@inxil.com
· James
R. Morrell, executive director