Ousted Leader, Haitian Negotiators Meet in U.S.

Exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide began negotiations with Haitian Parliament leaders Saturday, but prospects appeared dim for a quick break in the five-month crisis that has followed his ouster.

An Organization of American States negotiator said during a break in the meetings, which were to continue today, that “some progress” was made. However, key figures in the crisis--military and interim government leaders in Haiti--were not participating and disavowed the talks shortly before they began.

Aristide met with Prime Minister-designate Rene Theodore, Senate President Dejean Belizaire and Chamber of Deputies leader Alexandre Medard. OAS Secretary General Joao Baena Soares and negotiator Augusto Ramirez Ocampo also attended.

Ocampo said Aristide and the others had discussed “the restoration of the constitutional order, the appointment of the prime minister and the return of Aristide to Port-au-Prince.”

The military-installed government in Haiti, however, declared it will not accept Aristide’s return or a proposed peacekeeping mission by the OAS. Neither the interim government nor the military was represented in the talks, although lawmakers attending the sessions have been cooperating with the current government.

Across the street from the OAS building, nearly 200 Haitians, among them former Port-au-Prince Mayor Evans Paul, held a noisy pro-Aristide demonstration under heavy police guard, but no incidents were reported.

Aristide and Theodore held preliminary talks Friday, but there was no indication that they had narrowed their deep-rooted differences over how to restore democracy to the Caribbean island.

After the Friday meeting, Aristide said, “I am the only one who is making concessions to put the country back on track.”

Theodore said he would not have come to Washington if he were not optimistic about prospects for a solution to the Haitian crisis.