ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - (KRT) - Caribbean nations critical of Haiti's interim government announced on Wednesday they will move to improve relations, starting with sending a high level fact-finding delegation to Haiti next week.

Leaders of the 15-member Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM, wrapped up their four-day summit here with the much-anticipated olive branch announcement. But the Caribbean leaders attached conditions to their diplomatic gesture.

One of the conditions calls for an end to the interim government's allegedly one-sided persecution and imprisonment of individuals loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Others urge that all political parties be freely allowed to participate in upcoming elections, and that those elections be promptly held.

The Haitian government has announced elections will be held early next year, but no date has been set.

Human rights groups and Aristide supporters have accused the government of interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue of exacting political vengeance against Aristide backers while allowing former armed rebels who helped force Aristide from power to keep their weapons with impunity.

Haiti Foreign Minister Yvon Simeon welcomed the CARICOM decision. "It's a good thing for all Caribbean countries," he said.

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