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Dominican Republic President urges help for Haiti

WASHINGTON, DC – Noting the importance of stability on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, the president of the Dominican Republic has urged international attention to the problems of Haiti, its neighbour.

Speaking at Counterpart International’s headquarters in Washington DC, President Leonel Fernández, enjoying his second term as president of the nation which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, said he had urged US President George W. Bush to “help Haiti in any way you can.”

A stable and secure Haiti, added President Fernández, whose brilliant political career included schooling in New York City, “helps the United States better fight illicit drugs, terrorism and threats to national security.”

President Fernández, a strong supporter of non-governmental organizations, told leaders of non-profit development organizations gathered at Counterpart headquarters this month that Haiti is a top priority for the Dominican Republic.


President Leonel Fernández (left) with Counterpart’s President Lelei LeLaulu

Stressing the importance of a peaceful and democratic Haiti, the president noted the conflict in Haiti has produced an influx of Haitians and a conflict of people in the Dominican Republic. He added, “we do not want to build a fence” separating his country from Haiti.

Asserting it “may have been a mistake” to disband the military, he said the police cannot handle the security challenges in Haiti. He urged the international community to be more involved because President René Préval “cannot do it alone … we hope Haiti can turn around economically. There is a need for infrastructure. The World Bank and the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) need to perform on their pledges for Haiti.” President Fernández did praise Brazil’s President Lula da Silva for committing resources to a more active role in Haiti. “Tensions had to be dealt with in an intelligent way,” he added.

In an effort to normalize relations between the island neighbours, President Fernández and President Préval had entered bilateral agreements aimed at harmonizing border control, drug trafficking, and other critical issues.

Commending President Fernández on his commitment to the stabilization of his poorer neighbour, Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International, recalled asking the newly-re-elected president two years ago to name the three top external priorities for his new administration and being told: “Haiti, Haiti and Haiti.”


Listening attentively to President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic (right) is Counterpart President Lelei LeLaulu

Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world. Haiti now ranks 153rd of 177 countries in the 2005 United Nations Human Development Index. About 80% of the population lives in abject poverty.

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