MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Caricom denies recognition to new Haiti officials.

In a formal declaration following a meeting of eleven regional leaders last week the Caribbean Community, Caricom, decided not to recognize Haiti's interim government and requested United Nations investigate the ousting of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

"For the moment we're not satisfied", said Saint Vincent and Grenada Primer Minister Ralph Gonsalvez. "We'll be keeping track of the evolution of developments".

In the release Caricom was apprehensive of possible "actions leading to the legitimization of opposition forces", and regret that the current Primer Minister of Haiti Gerard Latorutue had described rebels as "libertarian fighters".

Mr. Latorutue withdrew Haiti from Caricom following Jamaica's decision to grant temporary exile to former president Aristide, who apparently will be residing in the next six months in South Africa, a guest of the government.

"Haiti is a welcome member of Caricom, but there has been an interruption in the democratic process", said Caricom.

Caribbean leaders requested Mr. Kofi Annan the United Nations urgently investigate the circumstances of the ousting of Mr. Aristide who apparently was forced to leave February 29 by United States marine when rebel forces were about to take the capital Port au Prince.

Caricom finally underlines the importance of free and fair elections to guarantee the return to constitutional democracy "in an acceptable period of time