The first Caribbean meeting of the Inter-American Forum on Political Parties was held at the Half Moon Conference Centre in Montero Bay over three days, ending Friday, April 29, with Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson addressing the closing session.
Some 50 political leaders, civil society representatives and academics from the hemisphere participated in discussions which examined issues related to political challenges in the Caribbean region, including constitutional reform, economic integration, political developments in Haiti, the role of women and policies to curb poverty, violence and unemployment.
In his address Mr. Patterson said the entire Caribbean region and beyond, was deeply disturbed by the situation in Haiti, which continued to ‘hinder steps towards responsible democratic governance’.
“The CARICOM position on Haiti has been misunderstood and misinterpreted in some cases by many. It was here in this very hall that we took the decision in 1997 to admit Haiti as a member of CARICOM. In so doing we were mindful that it would require great support to allow the fledgling plant of democracy in Haiti to establish strong roots on which the tradition of democracy could be built,” he stated.
Mr. Patterson said further, “we were of the view then that their participation in CARICOM would assist that process, we are still of that view, but we also made it very clear that there were certain tenets to which CARICOM subscribed and which they would have to honor, and that has to do with how governments are chosen and how governments are changed. Our position and certainly my own position is not pro Aristide or pro Preval, it is pro the government elected by the people of Haiti, whichever government they chose in free and fair elections”.
Mr. Patterson said the region’s real concern was helping the people of Haiti to enjoy the benefits of a constitutional democracy. “In Quebec in Article 20 we said what the OAS would be required to do in cases where it appeared or it was claimed there was an improper interruption of constitutionally elected government. That is the litmus test and it must be applied whether they are governments of the right, of the centre or of the left,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that, “we remain prepared as CARICOM to support all measures that will ensure the return of a constitutionally elected government for the people of Haiti in the shortest time possible, conducive with and environment in which the people are allowed to express their wills freely and fairly. For this to happen, certain preconditions are necessary”. He said leaders and activists of major or any political parties could not remain in arbitrary detention and that the law must be enforced without fear or without favor.
Prime Minister Patterson told the meeting that Jamaica was committed to making good on its promise to assist the people of Haiti.
“To this end an assistance programme has already been drawn up by the CARICOM Task Force on Haiti and is ready for implementation as soon as the security situation normalizes. We have also pledged to contribute technical assistance for the electoral process in Haiti, under the umbrella of the electoral unit of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. The welfare of the Haitian people remains our overriding concern,” he informed.
Mr. Patterson reiterated that representative democracy was indispensable for the stability, peace and development of the entire region and that such a process should be supported by all.
