Message of President Michel Martelly :

"Because Christmas is above all, the feast of all children, my message this year is primarily to them. I want to tell you, dear children of Haiti, how I love you and how much I wish that this Christmas day brings you joy and happiness. Around the world this is an opportunity for family members to get together and to express their love that united them to others. t is above all the time for us Christians to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.

The son of God has dedicated his short life on earth to teach us to love our neighbor, tolerance, wisdom, and guarantee us the mercy of God. Some of you have certainly lived the Christmas holidays much more joyful, others have had much darker experiences, however regardless of your satisfaction of the Christmas I invite you to take the time, time to enjoy the happy events that occurred in your life during this year 2013.

In this year of grace, 2013, I take once again in front of you Haitians, the commitment to continue to dedicate my life for Haiti, where the son and daughters of the country will be able to see the realization of their dreams and their legitimate aspirations.

I am sure, sure that the Haitians leaders of all political persuasions share with me the same purpose. Together overcome the differences of approach that separates us from our common quest to see our country to rise to the height of its past.

We must all get on with this task so that it is realized in the near future.

My children, my countrymen, it is Christmas time, is a time of love, forgiveness, assembly, to take the road of the union that will give the nation the strength to move forward as it should be on the path of development.

Remember that we are brothers and sisters, it is together that we must be prepared to face all the big challenges that appear before us, in the work we have to do to put Haiti standing on both feet.

We see all this, the Government work to give the country a new direction, for children, for the young men and women find ways to fulfill their dreams.

The battle I am leading for change has become a reality in the life of every child in the country, this is a battle that is permanent and it is with the help of every Haitian that we will win it.

Haitians,

I take this occasion that gives me the Christmas feast, to renew my solemn appeal to all actors, to all those responsible, all the leaders of this country to join me in the search for progressive dialogue to strengthen the democratic process through which will freely express the wishes and aspirations of the majority.

Everything will be done to consolidate a climate of peace, so that together we can develop the necessary efforts to create more opportunities for Haitians seeking work and to develop better living conditions for all son and daughters of this land.

We are linked to each other, whether we want or not, we need to create a sense of unity in our search for ways to move this country towards progress and development.

Haitian people,

Your future in your hands, seize this moment to make a resolution to construct it in peace in the union, in reconciliation and solidarity.

Merry Christmas to all, I love you.

Thank you very much."

HL/ HaitiLibre