Sir James makes critical intervention on Haiti at InterAction Council meet

Former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell is now in Hiroshima, Japan attending the 28th annual meeting of former world presidents and Prime Ministers, known as the InterAction Council.{{more}}

The conference of former leaders always reviews the general state of the world, with a special theme each year. The specific topic being discussed this year in Nuclear Disarmament. The meeting is being hosted in Hiroshima, where the first atomic bomb was dropped, bringing an end to the Second World War. Special guest at the meeting is Dr. Hans Blix, the UN Inspector for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

During the discussion on general issues affecting the world, Sir James raised the issue of the plight of the people of Haiti, recommending that States should recognize that Haiti requires more than foreign aid, in particular reforestation and institution building, before it can realize long term sustainable growth. Sir James’ recommendation was adopted by the Council into the final Communiqué of the meeting.

The Council and its members, including former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien, denounced Iran for placing a travel ban on its former leader and member of the InterAction Council Khatami from attending this critical meeting on nuclear disarmament.

Sir James left Japan on Wednesday April 21 to return to St. Vincent and the Grenadines via Los Angeles. As such, unlike many other leaders attending the conference, his return journey home is expected to be on schedule.