HAITI: OAS Assistant Secretary General leads mission to Haiti

Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, will lead a six-member mission to Haiti at the request of the Rene Préval government. (see also in the full story “the five lessons” 091201 Chertoff)

The two-day visit which begins on Thursday, will allow the mission to engage the local authorities and other stakeholders in the country’s electoral agenda.

Haiti’s electoral cycle was abruptly interrupted in the wake of the massive earthquake of January 12 that killed an estimated 300,000 people and left more than a million others homeless.

“At this juncture and in light of the enormous recovery and reconstruction task ahead, it is critical to help Haiti ensure continuity in state affairs and to uphold the legitimacy of authorities emanating from the will of the people,” Ramdin said.

The mission will hold discussions with President Préval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, as well as other government ministers.

The delegation will also meet with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Provisional Electoral Commission (CEP), national political parties, the private sector and civil society.

Ramdin said that “these consultations will allow the OAS to better assist Haiti in the planning and preparation of elections, in concert with pertinent international partners”.

He said that “several other important issues will be addressed, including the operations of the civil registry programme, the launching of a cadastre modernisation project, and ways to advance governance, capacity building and institutional strengthening programs in Haiti”.

Ramdin participated in the recent UN International Donors Conference on Haiti and laid out a framework for the continued commitment of the OAS with the government and people of Haiti.