Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns

摘要

The U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti has tried to improve security conditions, but Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, remains unstable. Natural disasters have contributed to instability. After several postponements, presidential elections were held on February 7, 2006, and runoff legislative elections were held on April 21. The electoral council declared Rene Preval winner after a controversial calculation process. He was inaugurated to a five-year presidential term on May 14. President Preval has outlined two main missions for his government: to build institutions and to establish conditions for private investment in order to create jobs. Preval enjoys broad support from the international donor community, the Bush Administration, and Congress. On December 9, 2006, the 109th Congress passed a special trade preferences bill for Haiti (the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement/HOPE Act of 2006, Title V, P.L. 109-432). Congressional concerns regarding Haiti include fostering democratic development, stability, and security; the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics trafficking; addressing Haitian migration; and alleviating poverty.