No breach by Aristide since arrival in Jamaica - PM
Stabroek News
March 22, 2004
Prime Minister of Jamaica, Percival J. Patterson says that since deposed Haiti President Jean-Bertrand Aristide arrived on the island, he has not breached his commitments not to exploit the visit for political purposes or for destabilising the fragile situation in his homeland.
"It is worthy of note that since his arrival, there has been no breach by
Mr. Aristide of the undertakings he had given. He has since reassured me of his determination to honour his commitments in full," the Jamaican Prime Minister said in a statement informing CARICOM Heads and other governments about the visit by the former Haitian President.
Patterson, who is the current Chairman of CARICOM, said once Jamaica had received the request from Aristide to be reunited with his two infant children before proceeding to his chosen destination for longer-term residence, he accepted that as a region it was their duty to offer the former Haiti President a place of temporary accommodation within the Caribbean, and he was also assured that the visit would be confined to a family reunion.
According to the statement released by the CARICOM Secretariat, Patterson said, "Consistent with the spirit and tenor of the Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads in Kingston on March 23, I concluded that the request should be entertained in accordance with the safeguards to which Mr. Aristide had agreed."
Patterson said further that given his country's tradition of providing temporary refuge for political leaders and other personalities from Haiti and elsewhere, Jamaica's present leadership responsibilities in CARICOM, and their renowned capacity for extending hospitality to families wishing a private reunion within their shores, he proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for Aristide to be received there.
The Jamaican leader remarked that the current interim Prime Minister of Haiti, Gerard Latortue had himself been a beneficiary of such temporary shelter in the past, and he would be able to attest to Jamaica's fine track record in that regard.
However, the interim Prime Minister of Haiti withdrew his ambassador to Jamaica, Jean Gabriel Augustin, and suspended relations with CARICOM in protest over Aristide's arrival in Jamaica for a temporary stay. Latortue deemed it very unfriendly of neigbouring Jamaica to accommodate Aristide, fearing his presence so near could stoke tensions and more bloodshed.
According to Patterson, he had instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs K.D. Knight to notify all CARICOM governments of the arrangement on March 11, five days before Aristide's eventual arrival. Patterson said he also asked the foreign minister to communicate the decision to other governments who were originally involved in working with CARICOM to seek a solution to the Haitian crisis, and all of this was done.
Meanwhile, Patterson contended that the community has demonstrated considerable diplomatic capacity in formulating the CARICOM Initiative in respect of the ongoing Haitian political crisis. He said further that CARICOM has achieved as well a remarkable sense of unity in its response to the aftermath of Aristide's sudden departure from office on February 29.
"These have earned marked respect from sections of the international community and the majority of our Caribbean citizens, local and foreign alike," the Jamaican Prime Minister stated.