The following is the text of a joint statement by the United States, the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
the Organization of American States (OAS)
and Canada, issued at
Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2004:
“We have met today to
coordinate efforts to support a peaceful,
negotiated, democratic,
and constitutional resolution to the political
crisis in Haiti.
We share deep concern over the suffering of the people
of Haiti, and deplore
the loss of life that has occurred in the latest
wave of violence and lawlessness.
We condemn such violence and call on
the Government of Haiti
to respect the rights, especially the human
rights, of all citizens
and residents of Haiti, and call on all Haitians
to respect the rule of
law. We call also on the Government of Haiti and
on all others to ensure
that supplies of fuel, food and medicines are able
to reach the people who
need them throughout the country.
“We urge the Government
of Haiti to implement the actions to which it has
committed itself under
OAS Resolutions 806, 822, and 1959, and as
reiterated by its adherence
to the current initiative begun by the
Caribbean Community.
Only through urgent implementation of the
confidence-building measures
outlined in these documents can consensus be
built to allow a resolution
of Haiti’s political crisis, in accordance
with the Inter-American
Democratic Charter.
“We call specifically
on the political opposition and civil society to act
responsibly, refrain from
violence and fulfill their responsibilities and
engage in the democratic
process in accordance with the CARICOM proposal.
“As the Government of Haiti
moves forward on these measures, the
international community
will undertake renewed efforts to restore the rule
of law, including professionalization
of the Haitian National Police.
Through these steps, we
expect all Haitians to be able to again enjoy
their constitutionally-mandated
freedoms and participate meaningfully in
the democratic process.”
[End]