Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
22 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s view of recent developments in Haiti and the ousting of President Aristide; if the Government has recognised the new regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9919/04]
View answer79 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an account of the situation in Haiti; and if he will make a statement on the matter [10021/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 79 together.
The parliamentary elections of May 2000, which returned a majority for President Aristide's Lavalas party, were judged by international observers to be marred by fraud and consequently the opposition declined to participate in the presidential elections of November 2000. President Aristide was returned by default for a second term. As a result of the fraudulent elections, all EU aid, with the exception of aid for strictly humanitarian purposes, was suspended under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group. The EU considered that Haiti had violated democratic principles, an essential element of the agreement and indicated that it was not prepared to resume aid until Haiti had met the conditions established by the Organisation of American States, OAS, which was closely involved in attempts to facilitate discussions between the Government and the opposition.
The political stalemate between President Aristide and the constitutional opposition continued. In February 2004 violent disturbances broke out. The Caribbean Community, CARICOM, with the support of the OAS, the US, Canada and the EU, led high-level efforts to restore stability and governability through a "Prior Action Plan" which involved a series of confidence-building measures. Unfortunately, these efforts failed. On 29 February President Aristide signed a letter of resignation and left the country. In accordance with the Haitian constitution, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Boniface Alexandre, was sworn in as interim head of state. He immediately asked the UN Security Council to deploy an international security force. On the same day the Security Council adopted Resolution 1529, which inter alia authorised the deployment of a multinational interim force, MIF, for no more than three months; declared its readiness to establish a follow-on United Nations Stabilisation Force; and called on UN member states to support the constitutional succession and political process under way in Haiti and requested the Secretary General to elaborate a programme of action to assist the constitutional political process, support the humanitarian and economic assistance and promote human rights and the rule of law.
A 3,400-strong force is currently deployed in Haiti, composed of troops from the USA, France, Canada and Chile. Following an initial focus on securing key sites in Port-au-Prince, troops have now begun to move beyond the capital. The security situation is slowly stabilising but remains very difficult because of the absence of an effective local police force.
Political progress is under way. On 9 March, a seven-member council of elders — composed of representatives of civil society, the churches and the political parties — nominated Gérard Latortue, a former Foreign Minister, as interim Prime Minister. Mr Latortue then appointed his interim government which was sworn in by President Alexandre on 17 March.
Ireland and its EU partners have welcomed the formation of the interim Government, which now gives reason to hope for substantial progress in establishing democracy and the rule of law, so that the country can break out of the political deadlock experienced in recent years and regain the stability for which it yearns. We have also welcomed Prime Minister Latortue's statements in support of national reconciliation, which we consider to be essential to Haiti's development. Ireland and its EU partners are also working to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Haiti, in close co-operation with the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The UN has sought the assistance of the international community in raising the budget of $35 million which it has identified as being necessary to meet urgent humanitarian needs and to establish the basis for recovery for the Haitian people over the next six months. The Government has announced a contribution of €500,000 in response to this.
The challenge now for Haiti is to organise free and fair elections for a government which will be not only elected democratically but will also then go on to govern with full respect for democratic norms and the rule of law. Ireland and its EU partners will support all measures that seek to promote and uphold democratic principles, working in close co-operation with other interested states and organisations such as the UN, the OAS and CARICOM. The European Commission is expected to shortly examine whether conditions are appropriate for a progressive reactivation of all instruments of development co-operation.
