CARICOM'S OAS MOVE ON ARISTIDE'S PROBE
Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
May 9, 2004
IT HAS come as no surprise that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is now seeking the involvement of the Organisation of American States (OAS) for an independent probe into the circumstances of the dramatic departure from office on February 29 of Haiti's lawfully elected President, Jean Bertrand Aristide.
The Community's call for an international probe to verify Aristide's claim and widespread suspicion, in and out of Haiti, that he was forcibly removed from office, was consistent with its known commitment to democratic norms, respect for the rule of law and awareness of the implications of legitimate governments being deposed by armed rebellions and political violence.
Having originally urged an international probe under United Nations auspices, CARICOM leaders have had to review such a course, then switched gears as it became apparent that influential nations on the UN Security Council that had no interest in such an investigation, would use their enormous influence to block the move.
By going the OAS route, as finalised at last week's meeting of the CARICOM Bureau in St. John's, Antigua, the Community is putting the hemispheric body to the test of responding positively to its own "democratic charter" as approved by its member states.
The OAS would be aware of how and why its involvement had become necessary in the extra-parliamentary attempts to oust President Hugo Chavez from power in Venezuela. Also of its joint statement, issued on February 13 this year, in support of the CARICOM Initiative for constitutional governance and respect for the rule of law in Haiti, while President Aristide was still in office.
It is expected that the influences that would have been at play in blocking a probe by the UN will also be in evidence within the councils of the OAS. But if no one has anything to hide in the downfall of the Aristide presidency, then they should in no way place hurdles to prevent the independent probe being sought by CARICOM.
Not bowing
Whatever the final outcome of this latest initiative by CARICOM, the Community, and in particular its "core group" on Haiti, as well as Secretary General Edwin Carrington, can take comfort from the awareness of the region's peoples that a principled stand was taken and followed through on the interruption of the democratic process in that crisis-ridden Caribbean state.
The Community's refusal to genuflect to immense pressures to do business as usual with the interim regime in Haiti, even in the face of insensitive and immature public statements by interim Prime Minister Gerard LaTortue, also remains a proud moment for the Caribbean people who well appreciate that powerful friendly foreign states should not take our pride and dignity for granted.
Mr. LaTortue last week made an appeal for CARICOM's cooperation during a visit to Washington where he had a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State and a private session with OAS representatives.
It is a pity that he did not consider displaying such a sensible attitude earlier rather than making contemptuous remarks about CARICOM as a figure of an interim regime whose mandate remains in doubt. He was to further complicate matters by foolishly embracing criminal elements and armed rebels as "freedom fighters".
Since Haiti remains a full-fledged member of CARICOM, we expect the modalities of a working arrangement between the Community and the regime in Port-au-Prince to evolve.
So long, that is, firm plans are being pursued for the early restoration of constitutional government based on internationally supervised and competitive, free and fair elections, with no prior restraint on Aristide's Lavalas party.
We also expect that at some stage, sooner the better, the ousted Aristide's right to return to his homeland, and not be treated as a pariah, will be given meaningful expressions by all concerned.