Saturday morning, after having visited Cuba and the Dominican Republic, a large delegation of the US Congress, led by Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives, arrived in Haiti to learn about the current situationand the progress made with rebuilding, Haiti’s economic growth, Haitian immigration and other important issues.

Saturday afternoon at the National Palace, the President Martelly in the presence of Prime Minister Saturday afternoon at the National Palace, the President Martelly in the presence of Prime Minister Evans Paul, met with the delegation. During the meeting, the Head of State has exposed among others, the measures taken by his government to hold elections this year and reiterated its commitment to the development and democracy in Haiti.

Note that the day before in the Dominican Republic, the delegation met Abel Martinez, President of the Chamber of Deputies which has asked the US government to help with the economic development and stabilization in Haiti, to pull the country out of poverty, efforts to which he invited to join the international community recalling that "For decades, Haiti has suffered the consequences of the State indiscipline, lack of education, services, the lack of democracy that is why I believe that the international community must change its approach in Haiti. We helped as much as we could, but this can not be the sole responsibility of the Dominicans." He also stressed the need for the international community to join to the search for a comprehensive and definitive solution to the problem "that comes from within Haiti, not from outside," a veiled reference to pressures facing his country.

Members of the delegation :

Congressmans :

Eliot Engel (D-NY), Peterson (D-MN), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Steve Israel (D-NY) et David Cicilline (D-RI)

Congresswomans :

Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)

HL/ HaitiLibre