Friday, the new Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), Bocchit Edmond, presented his credentials to the Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, during a ceremony held in the Hall of Heroes at the headquarters of the hemispheric institution in Washington, DC, in the presence of the Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, Sonia Johnny; the Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin and several Permanent Representatives accredited to the OAS.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Edmond said that Haiti "will always be a friend of the OAS," and reaffirmed the commitment of his country to "continue working with the Organization in all projects that we share."

Ambassador Edmond, who, for the past three years was the Deputy Permanent Representative of his country to the Organization, said that Haiti "has faith in the OAS" and in the future of the hemispheric institution. In addition to being the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the OAS, Ambassador Edmond is the Vice Chair of the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the OAS.

For his part, José Miguel Insulza thanked the Haitian government for its appointment of Ambassador Edmond and remembered the good work done by his predecessor and current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Duly Brutus. Secretary General Insulza said that the relationship of the hemispheric institution with the Caribbean francophone country is "very important," and praised the exemplary work of the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti.

Insulza also referred to the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and in particular, highlighted the efforts and participation of several OAS member states in its work.

HL/ HaitiLibre