5TH February 2004

 The mission to Haiti has been accomplished within its limited terms. The discussions were difficult but useful.  The remit of this most recent mission to Haiti was to report to the Opposition leaders in Haiti the results of the meeting with Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide.  You are already in possession of the Prime Minister’s statement made at the airport here on Sunday last in which he outlined the plan of prior actions that the Haitian President would have to carry out within a timeframe of four to six weeks.  I was able with Ambassador Colin Granderson of Caricom to share in detail with the Opposition what those steps are.

 The discussions with the Opposition leaders can best be described as intense.  Their view remains that they should not negotiate with Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide at all, and they have the view that they are in the ascendancy in Haiti.  Their view is that nothing short of a resignation of the President will do.

They do not wish the international community to do anything that will interfere with their political strategy.

 In this connection, the mission made it clear that the question of who is or is not President of Haiti is not a question for the international community.  That is entirely one for the Haitian people.  The Cariocm mission is there to assist in the task of ensuring that there is an absence of violence in their politics.

 As for President Aristide with whom I met yesterday in the afternoon, he is aware of the focus of the world community on his country and on his Government.  He once again repeated his commitment to the process of the rule of law and the other points in the matrix agreed at Kingston last weekend.  The report of his successes or failures is to be presented when the Heads of Government meet in Antigua in March.  I wish to thank him for the courtesies extended by the Government to the mission during our stay.

 Let me repeat for the benefit of the Bahamian people that it is most important for The Bahamas to remain engaged in this process to the extent that our resources permit.  The benefit of a stable Haiti on our southern border is incalculable.

 I should also say that The Bahamas is at a very advanced stage in the construction of a beefed up Defence Force base on the southern island of Inagua.  This should enhance the already aggressive and vigourous interdiction that is being carried out in the southern Bahamas.  The United States Coast Guard previously made its own separate announcement on interdiction.  We wish to thank the Government of the United States for all of their efforts in this regard.
 Where do we go from here? The next step is to formally advise the Prime Ministers of the details of what has transpired in Haiti on this mission.  There is likely to be a follow up meeting with Opposition members soon.  There are likely to be further consultations in Washington DC.  The OAS Special Mission headed by Ambassador David Lee will continue to be engaged.  One of its main tasks now will be the process of drawing up acceptable rules for demonstrations. The idea is that over the next four to six week, Opposition demonstrations should be peacefully allowed.

 This process is one that accomplishes its task in baby steps.  Once again I appeal for the patience and understanding of the Bahamian people as we face this difficult mission.