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