Preval is on the Right Track - by G. Simon

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Trip to Haiti yields hope.

MIAMI HERALD

BY JACQUELINE CHARLESjcharles [at] MiamiHerald.

comTwo

Two members of Congress, after meeting with the president-elect of Haiti, expressed high hopes for that beleaguered country's economic turnaround.

Two members of Congress said they are hopeful for Haiti's future after meeting Monday with President-elect René Préval and the beleaguered nation's business leaders.

Reps.

Mark Foley, R-Fla., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif., flew to the troubled Caribbean nation early Monday to reaffirm the United States' commitment to Haiti and Préval, as he attempts to bring economic and political stability to the country.

Both said the discussions focused on areas of mutual interest: security, jobs and a well-trained police force.

They stayed away from addressing more thorny topics, such as the possible return of Préval's one-time ally, ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, or the release of Aristide's imprisoned supporters arrested after his 2004 ouster.

''Any discussions would have been counterproductive,'' Foley said when he returned to Miami on Monday afternoon.

``[Préval] needs time to put together his government, his Cabinet.''
During their hour-long meeting, Foley said Préval affirmed his commitment to having a depoliticized police force, while stressing his vision for providing healthcare, education, water and electricity to the Haitian people.

He also discussed the importance of creating jobs.

''It was a refreshing meeting,'' said Foley, who with Waters plans to host a three-day visit by Préval to Washington next Monday through Wednesday.

Foley hopes to have Préval meet with key members of Congress, as well as President Bush, in hopes of building support for a Haiti aid bill that has been churning through Congress for two years without success.

Haitian manufacturers estimate that the bill, aptly called HOPE, would create about 40,000 textile jobs over the next two years.

It would be more than twice the number the country currently has.
''We see this as a new beginning and new opportunities,'' said Waters, noting that she was impressed by Préval and his vision for Haiti.

Waters, an Aristide supporter, said she stressed during her meetings that ``Haiti belongs to all of the people.

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People must work together for the good of Haiti.''

G. Simon, March 21 2006, 2:40 PM

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