Press Release

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Patrick Duddy, and Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at the (USAID) Adolfo Franco, addressed members of the committee, advising them of the Administration’s strong support for and long-term commitment to the Haitian people and the Government of Haiti as the country evolves towards stability and peace.

In their testimony before the House International Relations Committee, Duddy and Franco pointed out the long history between the two countries and highlighted the many critical milestones which have taken place this year, including the peaceful and fair elections of a President and a standing Parliament.  The Haitian people have more opportunities to exercise their civic rights in upcoming local and municipal elections.  To date, the people of the United States have given more than $30 million in support of democracy here.  The economy is slowly improving, with GDP growth projected to reach 2.5% for 2006.  The United States is collaborating closely with the Government of Haiti and MINUSTAH to improve security by supporting the professionalization of the Haitian National Police.  The U.S. provides 50 American police officers, many of them Creole-speaking, to work with their colleagues in the UN’s civilian police mission.  U.S.-sponsored programs are also working to root out corruption and fiscal irresponsibility, which will improve public trust and the private sector investment climate.  The latter remains critical to Haiti’s future as a sustainable democracy.  Both Duddy and Franco stressed that the United States is also working with our international partners and the Haitian government to ensure solid short-term results and long-term support and assistance to help Haitians take charge of their future.

I join with my colleagues to applaud Haiti’s progress and to continue what has been a long-standing and fruitful relationship.  Support from the United States for Haiti has totaled over $600 million between the years 2004 and 2006.  The United States is the largest single-country donor to this country and are also one of the largest supporters of MINUSTAH, with a contribution of $120 million in FY 2006.  The President has asked for $198 million in assistance for Haiti in the upcoming fiscal year, and the next round of an international donors’ conference is set to take place in November of this year.  The United States will remain committed to helping improve the daily lives of the average Haitian and are proud of every achievement for which this government and its people have worked.