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NEWS RELEASES

September 20, 2002 (9:40 a.m. EDT) No. 102

SECRETARY OF STATE PARADIS AND OAS DISCUSS STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN HAITI

Denis Paradis, Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa, and La Francophonie, met yesterday with senior representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS) to discuss the Organization's role in strengthening democracy in Haiti and the hemisphere.

"Canada believes strongly in the important role the OAS plays in promoting the democracy, peace and prosperity that are central to the quality of life we enjoy in our hemisphere," said Mr. Paradis. "We hope that more focused engagement of OAS partners, and in particular, the OAS Special Mission in Haiti, will bring important benefits to Haiti and the community of the Americas."

Mr. Paradis' meetings included those with OAS Secretary-General César Gaviria, Assistant Secretary-General Luigi Einaudi, and U.S Permanent Representative and Chair of the OAS Permanent Council Roger Noriega.

On September 4, 2002, the OAS adopted Resolution 822 establishing a new framework to strengthen democracy in Haiti. During his visit, Secretary of State Paradis took the opportunity to discuss a new, broader role of the OAS Special Mission in Haiti that will include supporting free and fair elections, and promoting national dialogue and consensus-building between the Government of Haiti, political parties, and civil society. Discussions touched on the potential implications of normalized economic cooperation between the Government of Haiti and international financial institutions, as supported in Resolution 822.

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