CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in emergency sessions in Jamaica on Wednesday called for an investigation – under the auspices of the United Nations – into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide Sunday.
Mr. Aristide, who is in exile in the Central African Republic, claimed Monday that he was forced out of office by the United States.
The CARICOM leaders also reiterated that the circumstances under which the president demitted office “set a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments everywhere as it promotes the unconstitutional removal of duly elected persons from office.”
“Heads of Government were deeply perturbed at the contradictory reports surrounding the demission from office of the constitutionally elected president,” they said in release issued to the media. “These concerns were heightened by public assertions made by President Aristide that he had not demitted office voluntarily.”
CARICOM leaders also said that they were disappointed by the reluctance of the Security Council to take immediate action in response to appeals for assistance by the Government of Haiti.
They noted that on Sunday, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1529 endorsing the deployment of a Multinational Interim Force to Haiti, following the resignation of the Haitian president. CARICOM had been fighting last week for the adoption of the resolution to prevent Mr. Aristide from being forced from power.
The leaders reiterated the importance of a return to constitutional democracy and expressed the wish to see the quick restoration of peace and stability in Haiti and the earliest return to constitutional democracy by working with the people of Haiti in a sustained effort to rebuild democratic institutions.
They also expressed reluctance to working with any government that comprises rebel forces, calling for the immediate disarmament of those groups.
“We, as a region, will not participate in any process that intends to legitimise the rebels or by whatever name they are called,” said Prime Minister Perry Christie, who spoke with reporters at the Nassau International Airport upon his arrival in the capital Wednesday.
According to international news reports, rebel leader Guy Philippe on Wednesday declared himself the new head of Haiti’s military.”
During their meeting in Jamaica, Heads of Government also reiterated their commitment to the people of Haiti and their intention to remain constructively engaged in the efforts to create the conditions considered necessary for their long-term safety, well-being and progress.
“That commitment was most recently demonstrated in the initiative the Caribbean Community launched in January this year, with international support, to help resolve the long-standing impasse which has polarized the country,” the release said.
In this regard they stressed that the Community would continue to support the political, economic and social development of Haiti.
The statement continued, “Accordingly, Heads of Government mandated the CARICOM Secretary General to establish a Task Force to coordinate CARICOM’s assistance to Haiti in those areas where it has the capacity.”
Prime Minister Christie said that in keeping with UN Resolution 1529, the CARICOM Heads agreed to participate in the follow-on UN stabilisation force, in efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, the rebuilding of the economy and civil society and the reconstitution of the democratic structures, processes and institutions of the country.
He pointed out that the group gave its commitment to work closely with the special envoy appointed by the UN Secretary General who should visit CARICOM Chairman P.J. Patterson next week.
Mr. Christie said, however, that the Caribbean Community’s involvement would be limited beyond that level of participation.
“We have made a determination that we will not serve on the multinational interim force that has been established,” Mr. Christie said.
“Different countries gave different reasons, but some of the reasons are logistical and technical dealing with the countries’ capacity and preparedness to have its forces serve in a hostile arena,” he said.
Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
