Washington,
Sep 27, 2005 -
Because the desire for liberty is universal, free and fair elections around the world are a cornerstone of security for the United States, especially in our own backyard. With that in mind, U.S. House Policy Chairman John Shadegg traveled today to Haiti, along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to observe preparations for upcoming elections in the turbulent island nation. “Haiti has been an independent nation longer than any country in the western hemisphere, except the United States,” Shadegg said. “But it needs a stable, democratic government to move toward peace and prosperity for its people. The United States should help Haiti achieve that goal.” Haitian elections are scheduled for November 20th. The nation – which is the poorest and most densely populated in the Caribbean - has been roiled by political violence for much of its history. In 1994, a military coup prompted the U.S. and United Nations to intervene and restore Jean Bertrand Aristide, Haiti’s first democratically-elected president, to power. “We should not ignore the struggle for freedom in Haiti,” Shadegg said. “The country needs the sort of reform that can only come from an elected government with a mandate the people can trust.” Shadegg joined two other members of the House, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Kendrick Meek of Florida, and U.S. Senator Mike DeWine on the trip, along with Secretary Rice.
