Wheat prices up 100%
April 24, 2008 -- Secretary General José Miguel Insulza travels to Haiti on Thursday
leading a high-level Organization of American States mission to meet
with President René Préval and his cabinet as well as leaders of the
Senate and Chambers of Deputies, the business community, political
parties and civil society.
The purpose of the visit is to convey
to the Haitian people and government the support of the OAS Group of
Friends of Haiti—comprised of member states and international
organizations—in the wake of recent events triggered by a food shortage
in the Caribbean country.
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico,
the United States, the European Union and the United Nations
Secretary-General will be represented on the delegation being led by
the OAS Secretary General.
Speaking at OAS headquarters at a
meeting of the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti, Insulza explained the
double blow the country has suffered as a result of international price
hikes for oil and food, with wheat prices jumping 100% in some case.
“What happened is sad, coming just as Haiti was making significant
strides in combating violence, promoting development and strengthening
its institutions,” he argued.
The OAS Secretary General said the
violence stemming from food shortages did not cause any political
instability. “The government has the situation fully under control and
has been consulting with the political players to appoint a new Prime
Minister,” he reported. Insulza emphasized the need for international
organizations and countries to get their aid delivered to the Haitian
people as quickly as possible, warning that “solidarity should be
expressed quickly. The speedy delivery of food is crucial in helping
the government tackle the problem.”
Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin,
the OAS Assistant Secretary General, chaired the meeting of the Group
of Friends of Haiti. Ramdin, who also chairs the OAS Haiti Task Force,
reiterated his appeal for countries and organizations among the Friends
of Haiti to do as much as they can to help the Caribbean nation. He
underscored the need for a structural approach to the Haitian situation
to address the urgent, immediate needs but also with a focus on the
country’s long-term development.
Assistant Secretary General
Ramdin said the aim is to help the Haitian people and government so as
to prevent the situation from developing into a broader crisis. He
shared the Secretary General’s view that despite the urgency of the
situation, there is no political crisis in Haiti, and that despite
Prime Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis’ resignation last week, President
René Préval remains in command, is respected and continues to hold
consultations on the appointment of a new Prime Minister.
Ambassadors
and other representatives of member states and international
organizations spoke about the respective latest aid contributed to the
people and government of Haiti, in the wake of the emergencies in that
member country. Ambassadors from Brazil, Canada, the United States and
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as well as Chile and Mexico, in
particular, provided details of their respective country’s food and
other aid delivered to Haiti.
After providing the latest
update on the events in his country, Permanent Representative of Haiti
to the OAS Ambassador Duly Brutus expressed appreciation for the “moral
and material support” from member and observer states as well as
international organizations in the Group of Friends of Haiti. He
welcomed this important demonstration of international solidarity and
support, especially against the backdrop of recent demonstrations.
The OAS Permanent Council Chairman, Barbados Ambassador Michael King, also participated at the Friends of Haiti meeting.