The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, yesterday chaired a meeting of the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti on the preparations for the Joint Electoral Observation Mission (JEOM) OAS-CARICOM that will accompany the country's second round of presidential elections on March 20.

At the meeting, Ambassador Ramdin, Chairman of the Group, referred to budget and logistical issues and to the participation of over two hundred Mission observers who will again be led by Ambassador Colin Granderson.

"We hope that the irregularities and logistical problems we experienced in the first round on 28 November last year will be mitigated in the elections of 20 March. That will depend on the resources available to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to conduct such elections. We need to have good, well-organized elections and that is where CEP leadership must be encouraged to take account of the recommendations made on the verification report," said Ambassador Ramdin, who also announced that Ambassador Granderson will present the verbal report of the MOEC to the OAS Permanent Council on February 18, 2011.

Ambassador Duly Brutus, Haiti's Permanent Representative to the OAS, for his part, expressed once again his appreciation to the international community for the support provided to the MOEC, which "helps to strengthen Haiti's democracy." He also shared the concern expressed by the Head of Mission regarding the delay in publishing the official results of the first round. He showed optimism about developments in his country despite political complexities.

Representatives of member countries and observers that participate in the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti congratulated the OAS for its work, reiterated their support for the MOEC and announced new financial contributions to it.

HL/ HaitiLibre