BACKGROUND

In the context of General Assembly Resolution 2306, “Support for the Strengthening of Democratic Institutions and Socioeconomic Development of Haiti”, a Mission of the Permanent Council of the OAS visited Haiti during the period February 14–17, 2008, and held high level meetings with the President of the Republic of Haiti, H.E. René 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 Mission was jointly led by Ambassador Cornelius A. Smith, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the OAS, Chairman of the Permanent Council, and Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General and Chairman of the Haiti Task Force. The Mission also comprised the Permanent Representative of Argentina, Ambassador Rodolfo Hugo Gil; the Permanent Representative of Brazil, Ambassador Osmar Chohfi; the Permanent Representative of Canada, Ambassador Graeme C. Clarke; the Permanent Representative of Peru, Ambassador María Zavalla Valladares; the Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador María del Lujan Flores; the Interim Representative of the United States of America, Ambassador Robert Manzanares; the Interim Representative of Mexico, Minister Luis Javier Campuzano Pina, and the Alternate Representative of Chile, Minister Counselor Christian Rehren.

The Government of Haiti was quite responsive to requests from the OAS delegation for meetings and provided appropriate logistical support. In addition, the Haitian Authorities expressed their gratitude to the OAS for its successful work on the modernization of the civil registry and technical support in preparation for the latest cycle of elections. Representatives of the international community on the ground in Haiti also provided support. In particular MINUSTAH lent high level security and strong logistical support to the delegation, especially during its trips to Cité Soleil and the interior of the country. Likewise, the PADF Haiti Office was instrumental in putting together a program for visits that showcased some of its flagship projects. The Director of the Pan American Health Organization shared with our delegation the outcomes of the regional coordinator meeting held in Port-au-Prince prior to the arrival of the mission.

This visit and these meetings were important in bringing the OAS delegation up to date on recent progress made in Haiti especially in the area of security, as well as for the Government of Haiti to highlight its priorities and to establish a mechanism for working with the OAS define effective ways of providing support to the efforts being undertaken. This mission did not visit the Republic of Haiti because of an imminent problem or crisis, or for that matter for a particular reason, other than to express friendship, commitment and solidarity to the Government and People of Haiti and to demonstrate the willingness of the OAS to support the political and economic process on the basis of an on-going dialogue taking into account the established priorities by the Preval administration.

The delegation took the opportunity to visit two sites namely Cap-Haitian and Belladère, and with the help of MINUSTAH, to do low-level flights over Labadie, Citadelle Laferriere, Fort-Liberté and other sites, which reflect not only Haiti’s potential for tourism development, but also its environmental challenges.

The OAS continues to portray Haiti as a country that has been able to deal with a certain degree of success with the political crisis and the security challenges. Haiti is now a country to be supported as a land with opportunities.

POLITICAL CONTEXT

The Mission observed an improved political environment marked by the improvement of the security environment, the efforts made by President Préval to put together an inclusive government, as well as to conduct consultations with social partners. As regards the institutional political process, it was noted that an electoral bill had been submitted to Parliament, but concerns were expressed over some elements, such as the tabulation center. Concerns were also expressed about the lack of progress on the socio-economic front. Despite the improvement of the macro-economic indicators and the fact that Haiti has experienced positive growth over the last three years, the level of poverty remains exceedingly high and the population is yet to benefit from this growth.

MAIN ISSUES

In meetings with the Haitian Authorities, social partners and representatives of the international community, the following issues were discussed: the holding of the partial elections, the security situation, the economic outlook and the National Strategy paper for Growth and Poverty Reduction (DSNCRP), judicial reform, constitutional reform, the Trade and Investment Forum (HTIF), and the drafting of a long-term development plan spanning 25 years.

HOLDING OF PARTIAL ELECTIONS

The partial elections, due to have taken place in November last year, to renew one third of the Senate and allow the newly elected representatives to sit in Parliament as of the second Monday of January, did not happen. Likewise, it was not possible to hold indirect elections that would have created the assemblies that would have facilitated the establishment of the Permanent Electoral Council. Therefore, a new Provisional Electoral Council was appointed with the agreement of Representatives of political parties and the civil society, including the Catholic Church. Both President Préval and Prime Minister Alexis explained that the electoral bill submitted by the CEP was being transmitted to Parliament. Upon approval of the electoral bill, the CEP will need between 90 to 120 days to prepare for the holding of the elections. The OAS has reaffirmed its availability to provide the technical expertise in setting up and managing the tabulation center, which in previous elections have contributed to the credibility and transparency of the process.

SECURITY SITUATION

To demonstrate the extent of the progress being made in the area of security, the Representative of UN Secretary General, Mr. Hedi Hannabi, indicated that one year earlier it would not have been possible for the delegation to visit Cité Soleil without helmet and flat jacket. For instance, in 2006, 5000 kidnappings had been reported, but in 2007, the number had fallen to 237. As of February 15, 2008, 15 kidnappings were recorded for that month; and to date a total of 800 gang leaders have been arrested. However, the security situation will remain precarious, if the socio-economic dividends of the improvement are not manifest.

Under the five-year Police Reform plan, Haiti expects to have a police force of 14,000 by 2011, which means the government will have to train approximately 1,500 police officers each year. This remains a challenge given that there are only about 8000 police officers on active duty; and there is a lack of adequate space and resources to provide, and some police stations do not even have tables or chairs. In this area there is, in my view, scope for bilateral support from OAS member states to Haiti, both in terms of providing expertise as well as equipment for recently trained police officers.

In my view, it is of critical importance to do everything possible to maintain this climate of relative security and to improve in areas where challenges remain.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND NATIONAL STRATEGY PAPER ON GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION

The Haitian Authorities stressed the importance of the new National Strategy Paper on Growth and Poverty Reduction (DSNCRP). This document was transmitted to the International donor agencies and a conference is being planned for Port-au-Prince in April 2008. The funding for the plan amounts to $4 billion over 3 years.

The DSNCRP constitutes a framework for the government operations and the international cooperation. The OAS Mission invited the Haitian Government to use the OAS facilities and platform to hold a preparatory meeting in Washington D.C. President Préval is of the view that based on the conditions of the country Haiti’s $1.2 billion debt should be forgiven. He also advocated for the adoption by the US Congress of the Hope II bill that goes further in supporting Haiti export sector and the extension of the Temporary protected status for Haitian Nationals living in the US.

JUDICIAL REFORM

Reform of the judicial system is underway. President Préval underscored four areas of urgency: the fight against illicit drug trafficking, the fight against corruption, providing training for the police in dealing with a number of criminal matters such as preparing criminal files, as well as training of the judiciary. The OAS is considering in which way the Justice Studies Center of the Americas can be engaged in these efforts.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

On the issue of constitutional reform, the Government of Haiti wants to launch a process of reflection, 20 years after the adoption of the constitution. Representative of the six political parties involved in the Government are working in caucus before starting a public debate. The OAS delegation expressed its willingness to support the reform process if the Government of Haiti deems it necessary.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT FORUM

The issue of the holding of a Trade and Investment Forum was discussed with President Préval. The President supported the need for such a forum, but expressed that a lack of human resources and the hectic agenda of the Ministers are major constraints as far as planning and preparation. He asked for the OAS and IDB to put together a team to help the Government of Haiti prepare for the forum. In that respect, the OAS delegation promised to dispatch two experts to Haiti to meet the request.

LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN

President Préval shared with the OAS mission the interest of the Government of Haiti to work on a long-term development plan spanning 25 years; and requested OAS support in that regard.

CONCLUSION

The visit of the OAS delegation was timely, as it provided an opportunity for the OAS to reiterate its commitment to Haiti, revitalize its engagement with the Government of Haiti, to listen to the Authorities of the country and note their priorities, interests, plans, concerns expectations, constraints and challenges. The delegation observed signs of improvement in the working relationship and climate among the institutions of the state. It also recognized that the international community can do more to support development in Haiti, and that the Government of Haiti can also do more with its own resources to alleviate poverty and start the process of modernizing the country.

We believe that for Haiti it is now critical to use this unique political momentum in their history to lay the foundations for structural and sustainable social and economic development.