The Ledger.com Published Thursday, June 24, 2004
Haiti's ambassador sets sights on improved relations with Jamaica

By STEVENSON JACOBS
Associated Press Writer

KINGSTON, Jamaica Haiti's ambassador said Thursday he was sure the Caribbean neighbors can mend strained relations after a dispute over Jamaica's decision to host ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Once close allies, relations between the two nations soured after armed rebels launched a rebellion that pushed Aristide from power on Feb. 29.

Flying first to the Central African Republic, Aristide then flew to Jamaica in a move that prompted Haiti's interim leaders to recall the ambassador and call Jamaica's offer to host Aristide "an unfriendly act."

"Both governments are willing to work together and turn the page so they can move on," Ambassador Jean-Gabriel Augustin told The Associated Press. "What really matters is not the past, what matters is the future."

Aristide and his wife arrived in Jamaica three weeks after fleeing Haiti. He has since been given temporary asylum in South Africa.

Augustin, who returned to his post on Monday after a three-month absence, called the incident "regrettable," but said both governments would now work to improve the social and economic situation in Haiti.

He thanked Jamaica for donating humanitarian aid during devastating May floods that killed at least 1,700 on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and left another 1,600 people missing and presumed dead.

Augustin's return came several weeks after interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue sent a letter to Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson seeking improved diplomatic ties.

The 15-member Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, still refuses to recognize Haiti and wants an investigation into Aristide's departure.

Aristide claims that the United States forced his departure. U.S. officials deny the claim.

Augustin said his government would work to "convince the other countries of CARICOM ... that there's a new era in Haiti."

Caribbean leaders are expected to discuss Haiti's membership in the regional bloc at their annual summit in Grenada from July 4-7.