WASHINGTON, DC – During its visit to Haiti in mid-February, the Organization of American States (OAS) Mission reaffirmed its commitment and revitalized its engagement with the government and with the people, Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin told the Permanent Council.
Signs of improvement were observed in the working relationship and climate among the institutions of the state, and in the security climate, Ramdin said, noting efforts by President René Préval to put together an inclusive government and to consult with social partners. In his report to the Permanent Council, Ambassador Ramdin said the OAS delegation expressed its willingness to support the constitutional reform process the government in he Caribbean country. He further urged the international community to do more to support development in Haiti, and suggested the government of Haiti could also do more with its own resources to alleviate poverty and start the process of modernizing the country.
Ramdin, also chairman of the OAS Haiti Task Force, had led the delegation jointly with the Permanent Council Chairman, Ambassador Cornelius Smith of the Bahamas. The Mission also included Ambassadors Rodolfo Hugo Gil, of Argentina; Osmar Chohfi, of Brazil; Graeme C. Clarke, of Canada; María Zavala Valladares, of Peru; María del Lujan Flores, of Uruguay; Interim Representative of the United States of America, Ambassador Robert Manzanares; the Interim Representative of Mexico, Luis Javier Campuzano Pina, and the Alternate Representative of Chile, Christian Rehren.
They held high-level meetings with President Préval; Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis; the Presidents of both Chambers of Parliament; Representatives of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP); political parties; the Haitian private sector; organizations of the civil society and partners of the international community. The visit was in fulfillment of an OAS General Assembly mandate.
Ramdin said the meetings were important in updating the OAS on recent progress in the country, especially as regards security. The Haitian government was also able to highlight its priorities and to establish a mechanism for working with the OAS to define effective ways of providing support for efforts being undertaken. Besides the capital port-au-Prince, the delegation visited Cap-Haitien in the north and Belladère on the border with the Dominican Republic. With the help of MINUSTAH, they were able to do low-level flights over Labadie, Citadelle Laferriere, Fort-Liberté and other sites which reflect not only Haiti’s big potential for tourism development, but also its environmental challenges.
Also highlighted in the Assistant Secretary General’s report was the request by President Préval for OAS support on a 25 year development plan the government is seeking to implement; and issues related to challenges in combating illicit drug trafficking and corruption, training of the judiciary, and training for the police to handle a number of criminal matters such as preparing criminal files.
Member state delegations reaffirmed their support for Haiti and for the OAS engagement with the country, expressing their appreciation for the frank discussions that took place during the visit.
