The U.S. ambassador in Port-au-Prince, Kenneth Merten, urges the Haitian authorities to take seriously threats of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy on the freezing of U.S. aid to Haiti. Mr. Leahy is the chairman of the Subcommittee of the State Department and Foreign Operations responsible for approving U.S. assistance to Haiti.

In regard to the request for suspension of visas for Haitian officials and their families, the American diplomat declined to comment.

During a press conference, Mr. Merten reminded the U.S. government's position in the electoral crisis "the U.S. does not support any candidate but wish the success of the electoral process", explained Mr. Merten which has once again invited the candidates to challenge the results through legal channels.

The United States has not yet decided whether they will participate in the verification commission proposed by the CEP, the ambassador is more concerned with the post electoral violence. The U.S. government, one of the main contributors to the electoral process, plans to encourage investment of one billion dollars to Haiti in 2011.

Asked about the various proposals to end the crisis, Merten said that the U.S. are opposed any form of provisional government. Moreover, the U.S. diplomat denied rumors for deploying Marines on the national territory.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1886-haiti-elections-patrick-leahy-suggests-action-against-the-haitian-government.html

HL/ HaitiLibre