Aristide in Good Mental and Physical Condition – States PM

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said CARICOM Leaders attending an emergency meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, have made contact with former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and that he is reportedly in good mental and physical health.

“We were able to speak with President Aristide in the Central African Republic this afternoon and he has informed us that he is in good mental and physical condition,” Mr. Patterson said.

Mr. Patterson made the statement while speaking briefly to journalists following the meeting of Heads on Tuesday (Mar. 2).

The Prime Minister said contact was also made with South African President Thabo Mbeki, who informed the Leaders that he had just returned from a Summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Tripoli and that the OAU had endorsed the CARICOM Plan of Action for Haiti.

He said President Mbeki has asked that he be kept informed of the developing situation in Haiti.

Prime Minister Patterson said the Leaders had a constructive meeting and would complete their deliberations tomorrow (Mar. 3), following which a report on the meeting would be made available at a press conference to be held at Jamaica House.

Among the Leaders attending the meeting with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson are Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados, President Bharrat Jadgeo of Guyana, Dr. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago and Prime Minister Perry Christie of the Bahamas. Other CARICOM countries and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have sent senior representatives.