The President Michel Martelly, received Friday, February 24, at the National Palace, a U.S. congressional delegation composed of honorable Senators Patrick Leahy (Democrat - Vermont), Richard Shelby (Republican - Alabama), Chris Coons (Democrat - Delaware), and and the honorable Congressmen Xavier Becerra (Democrat - California) and Peter Welch Democrat - Vermont) visiting Haiti in order to review the situation and the political stability, to have a better understanding of government priorities and evaluate projects funded by the United States. The Head of State presented the achievements to date of the Government in the areas of education, the relocation of victims of the January 12, 2010, the rule of law and food security programs.

At this meeting, the Head of State reassured the delegation members regarding the nomination process and of ratification of a new Prime Minister following the resignation of Dr. Garry Conille. The course of the upcoming elections and the establishment of the rule of law in Haiti were also the focus of discussions.

For their part, the members of the delegation expressed their willingness to support the President Martelly in its efforts to improve the living conditions of the Haitian people. The U.S. parliamentarians have promised a technical assistance in terms of technology, agriculture, energy, education and fight against voter fraud.

Following this meeting, the Head of State declared "[...] I think they are out very satisfied with today's meeting [...] they have seen changes, in their eyes they already feel the change, without even having spent 5-10 days in Haiti... they see, they sense the will of the team. Many members of the governmental team intervened, the meeting was very positive, and we thank the fact, that not only they encouraging us with words that were really strong, but they promised us a continuous support to Haiti, toward the Haitian people. They are aware of our problems [...] they have committed, whether in education, whether in housing, to assist us to find how we can bring relief to the Haitian people..."

PI/ HaitiLibre