Clinton: Major concerns surround Haiti presidential elections
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, returned early Monday from a one-day visit to Haiti, with its deep concern at the presidential elections in the Caribbean.
Still, he said that all political differences will not affect U.S. support for Haiti, a poor country already destroyed by the earthquake last year and deadly cholera outbreak in recent months.
"It's not for nothing," said Clinton. "We are committed to providing the Haitian people. And that the (true) for humanitarian aid, it goes to government programs and democracy."
During the cholera outbreak, over 200,000 people were ill and died in January 4030 is 24 according to the latest report by the Ministry of Public Health.
Clinton said Sunday that it intended to maintain pressure on the government in Port-au-Prince, led by President René Préval, to honor the recommendations of the Organization of American States in respect of which there on the ballot for his upcoming presidential runoff pivot.
As soon as the November 28 presidential elections, Haiti's electoral council announced that the former first lady MIRLAND Manigat had won, but not a majority of votes directly to victory.
Early results put it in a runoff with Jude Celestin, a protégé of the president. The candidate for third place, a popular musician Michel Martelly said he had won more votes than Celestin and a review of findings at an Organization of American States team has supported this view. This review has suggested that Martelly earned a spot in the runoff.
"The international community has been very clear," Clinton said, alluding to U.S. support to allow Martelly in the second round of voting.
She met with three possible candidates - Manigat, Celestin and Martelly - during his trip, President Rene Preval, whose mandate expires.
"I understand the situation, there is a constitutional requirement date of February 7" Clinton said in an interview with Radio Caraibes FM. "How it is interpreted and that the president and people of Haiti to decide is to them but it is important that the elections go forward, so there may be a new president."
On Sunday, Clinton acknowledged "a number of complications" and "legitimate concerns", including a strict timetable. But he added that the U.S. was synchronized with the prevailing view of diplomats from North and South America, as well as the United Nations and the European Union.
It is unclear whether Preval Court Init party intends to withdraw its support for re-election in the light of Celestin.
Dissatisfaction with Préval and his government has been evident in the streets of Haiti, after preliminary results were published. Haitian electoral fraud charge and cars burned tires and campaign headquarters Celestin Port-au-Prince.
The electoral council said it will announce the final results of the first round on Wednesday.
The runoff is scheduled for March 20 and final results will be known on April 16