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OAS ASG Ramdin Praises OAS – UN Partnership in Haiti

WASHINGTON – In addressing today a meeting of the UN Security Council, OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, reaffirmed that the OAS will support the electoral process in Haiti. He highlighted the extra meaning of the relationship between the OAS and this country in the aftermath of the massive January 12 earthquake, and commended the complementary role of the OAS and the UN on the ground.

“The OAS and the Republic of Haiti, a founding member, have a very long and meaningful cooperation relationship which has spanned decades. In the current circumstances, this relationship has extra-meaning. The OAS therefore remains committed to support Haiti in overcoming some of the challenges facing the country”, said Ramdin.

While focusing on OAS electoral support for Haiti, Ramdin pointed out the importance of avoiding the establishment of a transitional government without a parliament, as well as the need of more information and dialogue on the process. “The OAS will dedicate its attention to monitoring the political and electoral debate, including the efforts towards constitutional reform, and will support operations to update the voters’ list, reissue ID cards, clean up the voters’ registry, and establish the tabulation center. The organization will also provide technical support to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and the National Office of Identification (ONI)”, he affirmed.

The Assistant Secretary General further stressed that the OAS will not duplicate nor replicate the efforts of others. For this reason, the organization will work mainly in three areas: electoral process, civil registry program and modernization of cadastral systems.

Ambassador Ramdin also informed that the OAS Permanent Council will have a full day of meeting on Haiti on April 29, with the participation of Foreign Minister Marie Michele Rey; Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson; UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Haiti and a high-level Representative of the US Government.

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