Chris Dodd: “that travel warning remains in effect today. Yet, the administration would have us believe that things are on track for…”

“that travel warning remains in effect today. Yet, the administration would have us believe that things are on track for holding elections as currently scheduled. Unless there is dramatic action, the likelihood of fair elections in Haiti with widespread voter participation in the near future is remote, at best, and I would argue virtually impossible. Currently, fewer than 100,000 of the 4 million potential voters have been registered and fewer than a quarter of the necessary registration centers are even open at all. As important, the role of all parties in the elections needs to be protected. All parties must have a fair and equal chance if these elections are to be legitimate. Ultimately, what should matter most to the United States is that institutionally these elections are legitimate and fair. Whoever wins must make reforms, purge corrupt officials, and work to improve security. In my view, United States engagement on the security situation is just the first step in what will be a very long, uphill battle if we are going to get the situation right in Haiti. Holding elections for the sake of holding elections on some rigid schedule makes no sense at all. Elections, particularly elections with little or no credibility, are not going to solve Haiti's problems. It is simply going to compound them. Haiti is in a humanitarian crisis. For that reason alone, the United States should be far more engaged than we are.…”