HAITI - Pax Christi Urgent Action - Calls needed immediately
Subject: SL: Haiti/OAS Pax Christi Urgent Action -
Calls needed immediately
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 21:11:59 EDT
This urgent action alert from Bob and Adele DellaValle-Rauth, of Pax Christi USA and the Diocese of Richmond, VA, Haiti Outreach Program
Please circulate freely - and get others aboard.
Peace,
Bob and Adele DellaValle-Rauth
HAITI ACTION ALERT
The following resolution is currently being acted upon and debated at the UN and, if approved, could be a landmark step toward improving the political and democratic crisis of government in Haiti that is affecting the lives and survival of the people. We need your help to obtain US government support for the initiative of all the Caribbean nations who support this resolution 100% and who are seeking stability and improved living conditions for their sisters and brothers in neighboring Haiti.
DRAFT RESOLUTION TO THE OAS TO RESOLVE THE POLITICAL
IMPASSE IN HAITI
Background:
A Draft Resolution by the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the Organization of American States has been presented to the Permanent Council of the OAS currently chaired by Roger Noriega of the US. All of the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Missions to the OAS fully endorse and have co-sponsored the resolution. The Richmond Diocese, by way of the Haitian Ministry Commission, has been requested to endorse the resolution as a matter of justice. Many other groups in solidarity with Haiti, such as the Pax Christi USA
Haiti Task Force, also fully endorse the resolution.
What the Resolution consists of:
It recalls the history of the Government of Haiti (GOH) in relation to various UN resolution initiatives since the May 2000 disputed Parliamentary elections over 7 senatorial seats. It then identifies specific areas that the GOH has agreed to rectify relating to various disputed areas both with the US and the Convergence opposition party. For example in 2000 the Clinton Administration proposed "8 Points" which, if agreed to by the GOH, would re-establish "normal" US/Haiti relations. In 2001 the Bush Administration, early on, endorsed the 8 Point Plan. Since then, President Aristide and the GOH have agreed to and are
in process of implementing the 8 Points.
The Resolution emphasizes items in the 8 Point Plan and commends the GOH for its willingness and efforts to normalize the political situation in Haiti. It also calls upon the UN Secretary General to monitor the situation in Haiti and report to the Permanent Council on implementation of this resolution. The 7 disputed senators resigned last year and new Parliamentary elections will take place in spring 2003 under the auspices of the new Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).
What we can do:
Fax or phone our Senators and Representatives, Director of the Haiti Desk at the State Dept., and the US representative to the OAS. Ask them to urge our US Representative to the OAS, Roger Noriega, to endorse and fully support the Resolution presented by the GOH that is endorsed 100% by CARICOM.
Your action will be a major step toward improving the relationship of Haiti with the international community, unlocking financial loans and grants to the Government of Haiti, and allowing the GOH to implement humanitarian measures such as medical, infrastructure, educational, and economic needs of the people of Haiti.
1) Senator John W. Warner: (202) 224-2033; fax:
(202) 224-6079
e-mail: senator@warner.senate.gov
2) Senator George Allen - Foreign Relations Committee
(202) 224-4024; fax: (202) 224-5432
3) Deputy Director, Daniel Santos, Jr. - Haiti Desk-US State Dept.
(202) 647-5088; fax: (202) 647-2901
e-mail: santos@state.gov
4) US Representative to OAS: Roger Noriega: (202)
647-9376;
fax: (202) 647-0911/6973
5) Capitol Switchboard for any senator or representative:
(202) 224-3121
Redial a few times if you get an "all circuits busy message".
