ST
GEORGE’S, Grenada, February 26, 2011 - The Secretary General of
the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, and Heads of
Government from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) today concluded extensive
consultations on developments in Haiti, specifically the ongoing electoral process
and the work of the Joint OAS-CARICOM Electoral Observation Mission (JEOM).
During their discussions, Secretary General Insulza
underscored the importance of having a good second round of elections to ensure
the legitimacy of the next government in Haiti, which, he noted, would be an
important requirement for the continued reconstruction efforts in that country.
The head of the hemispheric Organization acknowledged the
challenges of organizing the first round of elections in Haiti just 10 months
after the devastating January 12, 2010, earthquake, and praised the Haitian
authorities for making the decision to proceed with the elections,
notwithstanding the numerous challenges. Insulza assured CARICOM Heads of
Government that the OAS would continue to support efforts to strengthen the
democratic process in that OAS-founding Member State.
In commenting on the work of the JEOM, the OAS Secretary
General said, "This Joint Observation Mission is very unique and is the
first of its kind ever undertaken by the OAS. CARICOM and the OAS have enjoyed
the highest level of cooperation in this mission.”
The CARICOM Heads of Government and the OAS Secretary
General also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Haiti's reconstruction
efforts and look forward to a peaceful, fair and transparent second round of
voting on March 20.
The OAS Secretary General and the Caribbean leaders held
discussions in Grenada within the framework of a meeting of Heads of Government
of CARICOM.
Secretary General Insulza also held bilateral meetings
with the Prime Ministers of Grenada, Tillman Thomas; Belize, Dean Barrow; Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves; the President of Suriname, Desiré
Delano Bouterse; and the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Brent Symonette.
SOURCE: OAS
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