Bill Nelson: “Haiti's recent election has refocused the eyes of the international community on that country, its remarkable successes…”

“Haiti's recent election has refocused the eyes of the international community on that country, its remarkable successes, and its continuing challenges. We must remind ourselves that although less than two months ago the Haitian people elected Rene Preval as their next President. Haiti's GDP per capita is $361, with over 65 percent of the population below the poverty line. Half of all Haitians have no access to clean water, and nearly half cannot read or write. In this context the Haitian achievement of an election is even more extraordinary. The international community took notice of Haiti's difficulties and its achievements, pledging over a billion dollars in support of Haiti's Interim Cooperation Framework in July 2004 at the International Donors Conference. Some of this money has arrived in Haiti and is benefiting the Haitian people while other pledges remain unfulfilled. We are in a critical time in Haiti; we need to ensure that the promised money arrives and is used in a way that will improve the lives of all Haitians. That's why today I am submitting a Senate resolution along with my colleague, Senator DeWine that highlights Haiti's successes and reminds our international partners of their commitments to Haiti and of the importance of promoting stability there. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is authorized through August of this year, and it is critical that this important stability operation be continued.…”