Thursday, January 1, on the occasion of 211th anniversary of Independence Day of the Republic of Haiti, John Kerry, US Secretary of State sent a congratulatory message to the Haitian people.

"I congratulate the people of Haiti on their 211th Independence Day. As Haitians celebrate this milestone, they can take pride in the harvest of hard work in reconstruction and development. But this is also a day to focus on the work ahead to keep faith with the promise of Independence Day.

The year ahead will be pivotal as Haiti works to schedule overdue parliamentary elections. Just as we stand with the Haitian people today as they mark their 211th year of independence, the United States reiterates its unflinching support of the people of Haiti as they strive to build a stronger and more enduring democracy.

The people-to-people bonds shared by our two nations sustain a warm friendship that prevails through times of prosperity and trial. These unbreakable links give us cause to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to be a partner for a more stable and prosperous Haiti and to wish the Haitian people well on this special day."

SL/ HaitiLibre