Caribbean foreign ministers to evaluate Haiti situation

The foreign ministers of the Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda will meet with interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, members of his government and representatives of some political parties.

``This is an important first step, and a gesture from CARICOM to the authorities in Haiti,'' said CARICOM Assistant Secretary General Colin Granderson, who will be part of the mission.

Granderson said the visit would give the foreign ministers ``a sense of what things are really like in Haiti.'' They will report their findings to the CARICOM heads of government, who will then decide the next step in their relations with Haiti.

Leaders of the 15-member regional bloc have expressed deep concerns about Aristide's departure from power Feb. 29 amid a bloody revolt.

Aristide charged that he was ousted in a "virtual coup" supported by the United States and France, which both countries deny.

CARICOM leaders have since refused to recognize Latortue's government, even though Haiti is a member of the regional group.

During a summit last week in Grenada, Caribbean leaders decided to send the foreign ministers to Haiti to begin formal talks aimed at breaking the impasse.

Alix Baptiste, a spokesman for Latortue, said the prime minister would welcome the visit despite media reports that he considered their work as interfering in Haiti's affairs.

Relations between Latortue and CARICOM have been rocky since the retired economist took office with the backing of the United States. Latortue first angered Caribbean leaders when he announced that he was suspending ties with CARICOM after Jamaica decided to host Aristide for a visit.

Latortue further vexed his neighbors when he shared a platform with some of the notorious rebel leaders who helped force Aristide from power, celebrating them as ``freedom fighters.''

At the end of the Grenada summit, CARICOM leaders highlighted concerns they wanted to put before the Latortue government, including:

_A political process for Haiti that involves all political parties, including those that supported Aristide.

_The pursuit of all criminals in Haiti, not just those connected to any one group. Critics of the interim government charge that although Aristide's former prime minister, Yvon Neptune, was arrested two weeks ago, many of the rebels who participated in the ousting of Aristide are still free.

_New fair, free and transparent elections, which should take place in a timely manner under the watch of the international community.

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