Bdos: Making peace with Haiti

Guyana, TT, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, and Barbados are ready to re-establish diplomatic ties with Haiti. High time!

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Five Caribbean foreign ministers said yesterday they were satisfied with Haiti’s pledges to hold elections and uphold justice, indicating the way had been cleared for resuming diplomatic ties.

“We hope that this impasse will come to an end soon,” Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Dame Billie Miller told reporters standing beside interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue at Port-au-Prince’s airport.

They shook hands and embraced, in marked contrast to the lack of contact since ousted President Jean Bertrand Aristide left the country February 29, claiming the United States had kidnapped him and masterminded a coup.

“We have been reassured by Latortue that in 2005 there will be elections – parliamentary, presidential and local elections – and then in February of 2006 a new president will take power,” Dame Billie said.

Where is Jamaica, which has been such a good sister to Haiti?