Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, arrived Sunday afternoon at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport of Port-au-Prince, in order to promote the implementation of the recommendations of the Organization of American States (OAS) and try to find a solution to the political crisis in Haiti.

In the plane which led to Haiti, Secretary of State, responding to reporters she said "We've made it very clear we support the OAS recommendations and we would like to see those those acted on."

Recall that the post-election crisis arose from disputes following the publication of preliminary results of the first round, which gave the candidate Mirlande Manigat and Jude Célestin winner. A result called into question because of widespread fraud and irregularities which were confirmed by the audits of the experts from the Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS), intervened at the request of President René Préval. The findings of this report recommends, among other things, the exclusion of the government candidate, Jude Célestin, arrived in second position in favor of Michel Martelly, candidate came in third position.

The visit of the Secretary of State was decided after the announcement of the Platform INITE of the withdrawal of its candidate (Jude Célestin) and after that the Provisional Electoral Council indicated that it had not received any request of withdrawal from the candidate, leaving the situation in the deeper uncertainty.

Hillary Clinton was greeted on her arrival by the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth Merten. She met with Edmond Mulet, the head of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah).

Hillary Clinton has denied rumors saying that the United States will suspend their aid following the recent statements of Susan Rice, the highest representative of the United States within the United Nations (UN), who stated that a continued support from her country would depend on the implementation of the recommendations of the OAS. Following this statement, several Haitian officials, including leaders of INITE and the candidate Michel Martelly had interpreted this statement as a threat of embargo and the cessation of aid from the United States.

Secretary of State has met individually, the 3 presidential candidates, Michel Martelly, Jude Célestin and Mirlande Manigat, at the residence of the Ambassador of the United States. She first met with the candidate Michel Martelly before receiving Ms. Mirlande Manigat and Jude Célestin. No statements were made after these various meetings. A source close, said that Mrs. Clinton had argued the U.S. position, that meetings were held in a relaxed atmosphere and the Secretary of State had not exerted pressure.

Mrs. Clinton also met with leaders of civil society and private sector members prior to meet for nearly an hour with President Préval. All it was possible to know of this meeting is that discussions have brought, among other things, on the end of the mandate of Haitian President and the candidate Jude Célestin. No other credible informations has filtered about this interview.

S/ HaitiLibre