Contact: Michelle Karshan, Foreign Press Liaison
Tel: (011-509) 228-2058
Email: mkarshan@aol.com

President Jean-Bertrand Aristide held a press conference this morning reiterating that local and parliamentary elections will be held this year. This comes a day after the new U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, James B. Foley, presented his credentials to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide at Haiti's National Palace.

Elections

The President indicated that he expected the Electoral Council to announce an electoral schedule, pointing out that the law provides that only the electoral council has to right to set the dates for elections. The president asked that all branches of the Government work together to prepare elections, calling upon all to respect the decision of the Electoral Council to move elections forward as mandated by Haitian law.

Electoral Council

Elections are being prepared by a Provisional Electoral Council who is currently engaged in preparing the field for nationwide elections this year. After the remaining sectors put forth their representatives to a Consensus Electoral Council (as agreed to in OAS Resolution 822) the Consensus Electoral Council will be installed and will assume all responsibilities for the holding of elections.

No to Violence

President Aristide made it clear that there would be no tolerance for violence nor for illegal arms, stating that the role of the government is to provide protection for all. In furtherance of this, the President explained that the government has the legal right and obligation to disarm those bearing illegal arms.

Security

"We will increase security so that there is neither psychological nor physical insecurity. The law is for all. If a political party decides to demonstrate, without violence, and democratically, the police will be there to protect them and accompany them. The police will protect all those who hold demonstrations. We ask all to respect the law and respect the Constitution."

Participation

"The Constitution calls for elections to be overseen by an Electoral Council. I don't have the power to oblige anyone to participate, however, we encourage all political parties to participate."

Speaking to the press, the President called on them as both Haiti's press and young adults, to not be discouraged, instead reminding them that they are the resource and the future of Haiti. "We need all Haitians to work together for the transformation of Haiti."

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