Caricom leaders reject interim Haitian government

Sunday, March 28, 2004

BASSETERRE, ST Kitts (AFP): Leaders of the Caribbean Community decided early Saturday after a two-day summit to reject Haiti's interim government and repeated their call for a UN investigation into the departure of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

Citing interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue's threats to terminate relations with the body, the group's leaders said developments "had not made it possible to receive the interim administration in the councils of the community, so as to be afforded audience with other heads of government on its participation in Caricom."

Leaders at the summit also said however that they would review whether Latortue's government would be invited to the group's next meeting.

Latortue, whose US- and French-backed government was formed March 9, withdrew his ambassador from Jamaica and threatened to terminate relations with Caricom after Aristide arrived in Jamaica March 15 at the invitation of Jamaica's Prime Minister Percival Patterson.

Caricom and the African Union had previously called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Aristide's departure from Haiti.

Aristide claims he was forced out under US and French pressure. The United States has dismissed this claim, and continues to state that Aristide left Haiti at his own request. 

Aristide was expected to spend 10 weeks in Jamaica, but his presence so close to his still unstable country had raised fears that his supporters might be tempted to mount a counterattack.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version