MEDIA REACTION - HAITI: ELECTIONS

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000285 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL STATE FOR INR/R/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI HA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - HAITI: ELECTIONS On February 8, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000) carried an editorial entitled "Elections in Haiti: A Step Toward Democracy." Quote: "The mere fact that an election took place amid adverse conditions suggests that it is possible to move forward in other areas assigned to the UN mission .... The positive development of the election is a healthy first step that must not be undermined by the premature departure of the UN mission. This does not mean that the deployment of foreign peace-keeping forces must go on indefinitely...but for the pending tasks ahead to succeed it is vital that those nations that promised assistance in 2004 fulfill their commitment. The election is a step forward, but cannot be the only one. It must not create the feeling that the job has been completed, because leaving the government of Haiti adrift, when it faces complex challenges, would cause greater problems and make efforts by Haitian society and the international community thus far useless. KELLY