Elections this year?

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC):

A delegation from the Organisation of American States (OAS) has ended a two-day visit to earthquake-stricken Haiti after holding talks with President Rene Preval and senior government officials on the possibility of holding elections this year.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin said the six-member delegation held "very positive and constructive consultations" with Preval, Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive; President of the Chamber of Deputies, Levaillant Louis Jeune; as well as officials from the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP); the Office for National Identities; political parties;

civil society and the private sector.

"I can say that the series of meetings was quite instructive," Ramdin said, referring to the possibility of holding the elections, adding that the delegation had expressed satisfaction with the responsiveness and confidence expressed by elements of civil society, private sector and political parties.

Ramdin said the OAS was prepared to work within the context of whatever decision is made by the Haitian authorities regarding the elections, noting however, that there was a general feeling in Haiti that in the aftermath of the devastating January 12 earthquake, the opportunity should be seized for important and structural reforms.