Haiti Democracy Project

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Breakthrough Reported in Montana Hotel Talks

The two sides have agreed on a formula for formation of a new electoral commission (CEP), a re-run of the elections of May 21, 2000, and the security environment. Remaining points of disagreement are the political environment and the date of the new elections. Lavalas wants them on two occasions, legislative in November 2002 and local in May 2003 whereas the Convergence wants them both in November 2002.

No clear date was set for resumption of negotiations on these points.

After three days of discussion at the Montana Hotel under the direction of OAS secretary-general César Gaviria the protagonists did not reach a final accord but made substantial advances toward one. Agreement was reached on a commission on electoral guarantees, international cooperation, and security. They agreed to continue the discussions on the other points with or without the help of the international community. Agreement is still lacking on the date of the proposed legislative and local elections. This according to Prime Minister Cherestal is the main reason an agreement was not actually signed.

Both sides agreed to elections to replace the lower house of parliament, eighteen of the twenty-seven seats in the Senate and all local government posts. Gérard Pierre-Charles said they agreed on an electoral council, but are still divided over dates.

According to a report by Radio Métropole, if a political accord is reached the "May 21 senators" including Yvon Neptune , Gérald Gilles , Dany Toussaint, Fourel Célestin, Yvon Feuillé, Joseph Médard, Lans Clonès, and Prince Pierre Sonson would immediately leave the senate. Only the nine senators elected on November 26, 2000 would stay if the Convergence position prevails, which is that the other senators would leave on signature of an accord.

Similarly, according to the same source, the members of the Chamber of Deputies would all leave on signature of the accord. The radio station says this would leave up in the air the question of who would get the twelve four-wheel drive vehicles assigned to the lower chamber, which the "May 21" representatives use to get around their districts and touch base with their constituents.

The information about the senators' and representatives' immediate leaving on signature of an accord remains to be confirmed.