Four Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders joined the Presidents of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and officials from the European Union and international agencies, at a preparatory donors meeting in Santo Domingo.

In a communique issued after Monday's meeting, the coordinating committee said a team will be tasked with drawing up a draft strategic plan for the reconstruction of Haiti after last week's earthquake.

It said: "Going beyond emergency aid, it will help strengthen the viability and social, economic, and political stability of Haiti in medium-and long-range terms."

In a speech to the conference, the Haitian President Rene Preval pledged to strengthen his country's institutions.

"We need in Haiti political, economic stability," he said. "We need to reinforce the democratic institutions."

Debt forgiveness

The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, said planning for the longer-term future was critical.

	Donors have struggled to get relief supplies to survivors

He said: "Not just to get past today or tomorrow but to put Haiti on a path of sustained growth and development and in a position to provide for its people the higher standard of living to which they all aspire."

Speaking on his return to Port of Spain, Mr Manning said the committee had also put debt forgiveness for Haiti as a major need.

Just ahead of the meeting, the Inter-American Development Bank announced in Santo Domingo that it would forgive Haiti's $480-million debt with the lending organisation.

Manuel Labrado, a bank spokesman, said that additionally, the bank is prepared to grant Haiti $364 million that can be put to use immediately, and establish a fund to finance reconstruction over the next six years.

Countries such as France have also previously announced debt cancellation.

"The time has come for the international community to restore to Haiti its dignity," Leonel Fernandez, the Dominican Republic president, said.

'New beginning'

Mr Fernandez himself proposed a $10billion five-year development programme.

The communique said the government and people of Haiti are, and must continue to be, the main protagonists in the reconstruction of their country.

"For thousands of Haitians, this tragedy has assumed an end," it added.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that, for millions of citizens of this and other continents, it will likewise be a new beginning."

The strategic plan will be considered by an international donors conference to be held in the Dominican Republic at a date to be announced.

The next preparatory meeting will be held in Montreal on 25 January.