21262: (Hermantin)Sun-Sentinel-Meek on humanitarian mission to Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Meek on humanitarian mission to Haiti

By Sandra Hernandez
Staff writer
Posted April 16 2004

Port-au-Prince, HAITI · South Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek promised to help
push for political attention and aid to Haiti, while at the same time asking
government officials to avoid a witch hunt against former supporters of
ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his Lavalas Family Party.

"The transitional government is the custodian of democracy," Meek said on
Thursday, while en route to a private meeting with interim Prime Minister
Gerard Latortue at his office. "Don't make my job harder by only going after
the Lavalas Party."


Meek's remarks followed a day-long tour of Port-au-Prince where the South
Florida Democrat met with international aid groups and visited warehouses
used to store food and medical supplies.

His trip was designed to focus attention on humanitarian aid but was briefly
derailed when a small group of rebels from Gonaives arrived unannounced at
the prime minister's office minutes before Meek was slated to address
journalists.

Gonaives is the central port city where the rebellion that led to Aristide's
departure began on Feb. 29.

"We were promised many things and we are here to see what will happen to all
those promises," said Winter Etienne, a spokesman for the National
Resistance Front of Gonaives.

Among the rebels with him was Ferdinand Wilfort, who spent several minutes
removing jewelry before he was allowed to pass through the security
checkpoint that included a metal detector.

The rebels, who cleared security without any problems, left shortly after
arriving and did not meet with Meek or any other official. Earlier this
month Latortue traveled to Gonaives where he lauded the rebels as freedom
fighters.

The rebels' surprise appearance underscored questions over security and
stability that continue to challenge the government.

Meek said Thursday that security remains an overriding concern in Haiti.

An international security force including 2,000 U.S. Marines conduct many
police functions in the capital city, including patrolling areas abandoned
by police who fled their posts last month.

As Meek toured the Port-au-Prince port, local businessman warned that the
port could be closed down in one month if safety measures were not improved
to comply with international maritime standards.

"There is almost no security here. This is a no man's land," said Reginald
Villard, general manger of a Haitian shipping agency, while showing Meek
around the port.

He cautioned the shutdown could lead to a "major catastrophe and starvation"
because none of Haiti's 10 ports are in compliance.

This was Meek's second visit to Haiti this week to discuss the crisis,
including the scarcity of electricity, food and water in some rural areas,
with local and international groups.

Sandra Hernandez can be reached at shernandez@sun-sentinel.com and
954-356-4514.

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Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel






By Sandra Hernandez
Staff writer
Posted April 16 2004

Port-au-Prince, HAITI · South Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek promised to help
push for political attention and aid to Haiti, while at the same time asking
government officials to avoid a witch hunt against former supporters of
ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his Lavalas Family Party.

"The transitional government is the custodian of democracy," Meek said on
Thursday, while en route to a private meeting with interim Prime Minister
Gerard Latortue at his office. "Don't make my job harder by only going after
the Lavalas Party."











Meek's remarks followed a day-long tour of Port-au-Prince where the South
Florida Democrat met with international aid groups and visited warehouses
used to store food and medical supplies.

His trip was designed to focus attention on humanitarian aid but was briefly
derailed when a small group of rebels from Gonaives arrived unannounced at
the prime minister's office minutes before Meek was slated to address
journalists.

Gonaives is the central port city where the rebellion that led to Aristide's
departure began on Feb. 29.

"We were promised many things and we are here to see what will happen to all
those promises," said Winter Etienne, a spokesman for the National
Resistance Front of Gonaives.

Among the rebels with him was Ferdinand Wilfort, who spent several minutes
removing jewelry before he was allowed to pass through the security
checkpoint that included a metal detector.

The rebels, who cleared security without any problems, left shortly after
arriving and did not meet with Meek or any other official. Earlier this
month Latortue traveled to Gonaives where he lauded the rebels as freedom
fighters.

The rebels' surprise appearance underscored questions over security and
stability that continue to challenge the government.

Meek said Thursday that security remains an overriding concern in Haiti.

An international security force including 2,000 U.S. Marines conduct many
police functions in the capital city, including patrolling areas abandoned
by police who fled their posts last month.

As Meek toured the Port-au-Prince port, local businessman warned that the
port could be closed down in one month if safety measures were not improved
to comply with international maritime standards.

"There is almost no security here. This is a no man's land," said Reginald
Villard, general manger of a Haitian shipping agency, while showing Meek
around the port.

He cautioned the shutdown could lead to a "major catastrophe and starvation"
because none of Haiti's 10 ports are in compliance.

This was Meek's second visit to Haiti this week to discuss the crisis,
including the scarcity of electricity, food and water in some rural areas,
with local and international groups.

Sandra Hernandez can be reached at shernandez@sun-sentinel.com and
954-356-4514.


Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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