Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Haiti Elections

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement today in regards to Haiti’s elections:

“Today, I welcomed the announcement of Haiti’s Provisional Election Council that Mirlande Manigat and Michel Marcelly will compete for the presidency in a run-off election on March 20. This news signaled that Haitian people could now look toward a time beyond elections, beyond the earthquake, toward the future. Going forward, challenges remain, of course, and Haitian authorities will need to do their best to ensure that the next round of elections will be free and fair.

“Underpinning this announcement is the regional assistance that the Organization of American States (OAS) provided to examine and verify electoral documents. It was at the request of Haiti’s president that the OAS offered this technical expertise, and it was because of this assistance that Haitian authorities are able to move to the next vote. To my mind, the OAS has an important, legitimate role to play in the region, bringing together the experience and expertise of American states and the common aspirations of American peoples. The OAS report and conclusions may represent the best possible outcome in a complex and politically, emotionally fraught situation; that the OAS was involved in the situation, however, was good. I sincerely hope that the future holds many more examples of multilateralism and regional cooperation.

“News of the run-off relieved political uncertainty – a burden for Haitians, donors, and potential investors, who understandably may have put on hold some rebuilding decisions. I hope that, now, the pace of recovery will increase dramatically, reducing the heavy burdens of earthquake victims. Looking forward, these recovery and development efforts must remain focused and transparent. I will insist that they do. More important, Haitians will insist that they do. I will also insist that such efforts involve the Haitian community and that they have an opportunity to participate in the rebuilding and development. They have the greatest interest in realizing Haiti’s future.

“Haiti and the United States have long enjoyed a special relationship. Proximity and a shared interest in independence made friends of Haiti and the United States. Proximity and the movement of people between the United States and Haiti have created the ties that bind. New York’s 6th district, the multi-ethnic community that I have the privilege of representing in Congress, is home to one of the largest populations of Haitian descent in the country. They turn to me to make sure the United States stands by Haiti, and they hope that the international community and Haiti will turn to them. They have much to offer in rebuilding Haiti better -- special knowledge of Haiti’s past, special insights into its present, and special interest in Haiti’s future.”