Haiti Democracy Project

www.haitipolicy.org

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesman

For Immediate Release

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Haiti: OAS Mediation Efforts

The United States supports the joint mediation efforts in Haiti of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to resolve the electoral crisis stemming from flawed May 2000 legislative elections and to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights. The United States welcomes the planned return to Haiti on July 12 of the joint OAS-CARICOM mediation team led by OAS Secretary General César Gaviria.

Recent talks in Haiti achieved important progress toward an agreement that would create a new Provisional Electoral Council and a Commission on Electoral Guarantees and establish a framework for national dialogue on human rights, governance, and economic and social development. These significant breakthroughs demonstrate the willingness of the Government of Haiti, the political parties, and civil society to compromise and make sacrifices for the benefit of the Haitian people.

However, a final agreement remains elusive. The United States calls on all parties to build on progress achieved during recent talks to tackle key issues regarding a mandate for the new electoral council and the need for enhanced security to prepare and hold new elections. It is also essential that Haiti's civil society organizations continue to remain engaged and contribute to the process of developing a Haitian solution to the crisis. The United States notes that successful negotiations can only be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and compromise and calls on all parties to refrain from further inflammatory actions or remarks.

The United States welcomes the July 5 statement on Haiti issued by the CARICOM Heads of Government and supports in particular their call for President Aristide to provide the necessary measures leading to a climate in which a definitive resolution to the political crisis can be found.