CODEL PRICE VISIT TO HAITI

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000450

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR
S/CRS
SOUTHCOMALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HA
SUBJECT: CODEL PRICE VISIT TO HAITI


1. Congressman David Price (D-NC) led a bipartisan delegation
of twelve, including two other representatives, on a
three-day visit to Port-au-Prince on February 22 - 24. The
purpose of the visit was to establish a cooperative exchange
program under the auspices of the House Democracy Assistance
Commission (HDAC). HDAC has carried out similar programs in
other countries with emerging democracies, but Haiti is the
first country to join the program in the Western Hemisphere.
While in Port-au-Prince, the delegation met with parliament
members and staff as well as President Rene Preval (reported
septel).


2. The members, who also included Congressman Bobby Rush
(D-IL) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD),participated in several
meetings with their Haitian counterparts. These meetings
covered an array of topics that consisted of the following:
the role of parliament and parliamentarians in a democratic
society; the relationship between elected officials and civil
society, media, and electors; committee structure; and
ethics. In addition to the joint sessions between the
legislators, congressional staff took the opportunity to meet
with Haitian parliamentary staff to discuss member support.
This HDAC visit launched an exchange program between the two
countries legislatures that will be comprised of experience
sharing as well as material support. According to
Representative Price, HDAC will invite several
parliamentarians to the United States in April and members of
HDAC will return to Haiti in the near future.


3. Congressman David Price's office has cleared on this cable.
SANDERSON