US, Haitian Presidents Discuss Earthquake Recovery
VOA News 10 March 2010
U.S. President Barack Obama says the situation in Haiti remains dire, with people in desperate need of shelter, food and medicine after the devastating January 12 earthquake.
President Obama said the challenge is to prevent a second disaster in the country.
Mr. Obama spoke at the White House Wednesday after a private meeting with President René Preval. He said they discussed recovery and reconstruction efforts. Mr. Obama described the earthquake as one of the most devastating disasters to strike the hemisphere.
Mr. Preval is also meeting with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as key members of Congress urge an expansion of U.S. trade benefits to help Haiti rebuild its clothing sector.
After talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton Tuesday, Mr. Preval said it would be a major historical mistake to rebuild Haiti's capital to the way it was before January's earthquake.
Mr. Preval said the task now is not only to revive Port-au-Prince, but to build and invest in the provinces.
Clinton urged Haiti to hold legislative elections as soon as possible, saying new polls are key to the government's stability and legitimacy.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake delayed the first round of elections, which had been scheduled for February 28. The disaster killed at least 217,000 people, including 101 members of the U.N. Mission in Haiti, and left 1 million others homeless.
On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the victims, who included the mission's chief Hedi Annabi, his deputy, Luiz Carlos da Costa, and acting Police Commissioner Doug Coates.
An international donors conference for Haiti is scheduled to take place at the United Nations on March 31.
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