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Remarks With Haitian President-Elect Michel Martelly After Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateTreaty RoomWashington, DCApril 20, 2011
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It is a great pleasure and an honor for me to welcome the President-elect to the State Department on behalf of the United States Government, and to formally congratulate President-elect Martelly on his victory in the election.I also congratulate the people of Haiti on the election. It not only affirmed and strengthened the foundations of Haiti’s democracy; it also helped shine light on the work that has been done and the work that still has to be done to recover from the damage of the earthquake and firmly set Haiti on a path to long-term stability and development. And perhaps most importantly, this election offered the people of Haiti an opportunity to give voice to their dreams for their country’s future. And now it will be up to Mr. Martelly and his government to do everything in their power to help achieve those dreams.
This election comes at a critical moment. In the 15 months since the earthquake, there has been progress in important areas. Twenty percent of the rubble, more than 2 million cubic meters, has been cleared, and that was through a program that employed more than 350,000 people that the United States was proud to support. A new industrial park near Cap Haitien, through a joint effort by the Government of Haiti, the United States, and the Inter-American Development Bank has been created. It has its first tenant, the global textile firm Sae-A, which alone is projected to create 20,000 permanent export-oriented jobs. And we expect more companies to be drawn to Haiti because of a very important piece of legislation passed by Congress last year called the Haiti Economic Lift Program, the HELP program, which significantly increased U.S. trade preferences for exports of apparel from Haiti. We also want to acknowledge the successful response by the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population and the international community to curtail the cholera epidemic.
Now these are successes that deserve to be celebrated, but we also know that there is a lot that lies ahead for the new president, for the government, and the people of Haiti. Still, there’s a lot of rubble to be cleared. There are still 650,000 people living in camps. The hurricane season is once again approaching. We want to do everything we can to be a good partner for Haiti as it takes steps that it must take, making it easier, for example, to transfer ownership of state-owned land for affordable housing, to streamline the process for registering new businesses, getting construction permits approved, attracting investment and encouraging growth. We also know that the prisons in Haiti are overcrowded. Eighty percent of those detained have yet to face trial. Updating criminal codes, processing the backlog of demands, and implementing other judicial reforms will go a long way toward creating a functioning and more humane justice system.
We know this takes leadership, which we have seen Mr. Martelly exhibit in his very vigorous campaign. We know it takes political will, which we know he has, a commitment to transparency and good governance, and to getting results for people. I am very encouraged by the campaign that Mr. Martelly ran, his emphasis on the people and their needs, his willingness to be very clear in what he hoped to achieve on their behalf, and now he has a chance to lead. And we are behind him. We have a great deal of enthusiasm. This is not only a goal of our foreign policy, but it is a personal priority for me, my husband, and many of us here in Washington.
Now some of you may know that Mr. Martelly’s campaign slogan was “Tet Kale.” Now I’m told the literal translation of that slogan is “Baldhead,” which doesn’t need any further explanation. (Laughter.) But “Tet Kale” is also an expression that means “All the way.” And the people of Haiti may have a long road ahead of them, but as they walk it, the United States will be with you all the way. Thank you, sir. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT-ELECT MARTELLY: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much. I would like to thank especially Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for having hosted me and my team. This is the second time that we meet since your visit in Haiti. I would like to extend my thanks to the Obama Administration and to the President himself. Once again, the elections of November and March demonstrated the fierce determination of the Haitian people to build its own democracy.
Now, it is up to me to transform my campaign promises into an action plan. Clearly, I have huge challenges in front of me, but I intend to meet them. In spite of the generous donations of the American citizens, which have reached $1.2 billion received by 53 NGOs, and in spite of the donation by the Government of the United States of $1.5 billion, we still have 1.7 million people who still live under tents after 15 long months of waiting. The cholera epidemic, if it is not contained and if Haitians are not vaccinated, this epidemic threatens to extend itself to the entire country during the upcoming rainy and hurricane season. In addition, starting on June 1st, the country will have to confront up to 16 hurricanes scheduled – anticipated next summer. The reconstruction process is despairingly slow.
These were the complaints that were expressed by a desperate population throughout my election campaign. This is why recovering and restarting the economy is a fundamental necessity for my government. This is why I plan on working relentlessly towards the reconstruction of the framework of international aid, to give new life to the business sector, and to develop the capabilities of government institutions and of civil society.
Madam Secretary of State, I am truly counting on you to ensure that this restructuring of foreign aid be truly effective for Haiti. Bilateral cooperation also involves fighting against drugs and corruption, respect for human rights, the establishment of the rule of law, the increased and necessary role of our Diaspora community, TPS, deportees, good governance, recovering agriculture at a special moment where worldwide prices are drastically increasing, and the establishment of a climate favorable for potential and future investors. Our discussions focused on the urgent need to ensure that the aid will be effective for our citizens and to avoid waste.
Finally, I discussed with the Secretary of State President Barack Obama’s offer to create a partnership with Haiti. My new vision for my country is to engage in all of the useful and necessary reforms to ensure that Haiti will be a full member of the modernity of the 21st century.
Thank you, Madam Secretary, for your very warm welcome. (Applause.)
MR. TONER: We have time for just a couple questions, first one to Jill from CNN.
QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you, Madam Secretary. On Libya, you, it was announced today, have decided to recommend the provision to the President – recommend nonlethal aid for the opposition. Why did you decide to do that, and why now? Isn’t this really a tacit admission that right now, this situation is a stalemate and you, in effect, must do this for an opposition that is incapable of doing it itself?
And then just a quick one on Syria – the emergency law is lifted, the killings go on. Where are we going with this? Isn’t it – the situation now going backwards? What just happened?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Jill, first with respect to Libya, we are moving to authorize up to $25 million in nonlethal commodities and services to support the Transitional National Council and our efforts to protect civilians and the civilian populated areas that are under threat of attack from their own government in Libya. Now the $25 million in goods and services will be drawn down from items already in government stocks that correspond with the needs that we have heard from the Transitional National Council. As you know, we have our special representative Chris Stevens in Benghazi, as well as a USAID team. They have been meeting continuously with representatives there as to what is required in order to support their needs and protect civilians.
Now some of the items are medical supplies, uniforms, boots, tents, personal protective gear, radios, halal meals. There are no new purchases. This is not a blank check. But this action is consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which among other actions, authorized member states to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas. The Department of State and the Department of Defense are working closely together with other partner nations in order to coordinate on what kind of nonlethal assistance is most necessary, and who among the international community can provide which goods and services.
Now, I think it’s important to point out that this opposition, which has held its own against a brutal assault by the Qadhafi forces, was not an organized militia. It was not a group that had been planning to oppose the rule of Qadhafi for years. It was a spontaneous response within the context of the broader Arab spring. These are mostly businesspeople, students, lawyers, doctors, professors, who have very bravely moved to defend their communities and to call for an end to the regime in Libya, and we are going to continue to take actions consistent with UN authorization to try to fulfill the international commitment.
Now with respect to Syria, we strongly condemn the ongoing violence committed against peaceful protestors by the Syrian Government. We also condemn any use of violence by protestors. We have been consistent, ever since the events of the last months have begun and have continued, that we are calling for an end to violence, we’re calling for peaceful protests, and a political process that can respond to the legitimate needs, interests, and aspirations of the people of the region. And we regret the loss of life and extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of all of the victims.
We are particularly concerned about the situation in Homs, where multiple reports suggest violence and casualties among both civilians and government personnel. It is difficult to independently confirm these accounts because journalists are not being allowed free access to many of these areas. The Syrian Government must allow free movement and free access; it must stop the arbitrary arrests, detentions, and torture of prisoners; and it must cease the violence and begin a serious political process through concrete actions to demonstrate its responsiveness to the legitimate issues that have been raised by the Syrian people seeking substantial and lasting reform.
MR. TONER: From the Miami Herald.
QUESTION: Hi, thank you for taking the questions. This is for both the Secretary of State and the President-elect. One of the points of contention for the Haitian Government has been very interested in getting U.S. aid, direct aid, to the Haitian Government, and I was wondering if that was talked about, and also if there was any talk during your talk of – the President-elect has suggested some sort of a Haitian military group restarting, and if there was talk of that.
PRESIDENT-ELECT MARTELLY: (Via interpreter) With respect to the first part of your question, I would say that American aid has been coming to my country for decades now in various forms, via USAID or through other structures. We talked about various projects, projects that are underway, projects that are on the verge of completion. And I also talked about my priorities, the priorities that I emphasized during my campaign, which were education, relocation of the people who were living under the tents and, of course, restarting agriculture. So those are some of the priorities that I emphasized during my campaign.
As to the second part of your question, I would say that right now, MINUSTAH is the country, is in Haiti. It is playing an important role. It is safeguarding the peace, maintaining peace in the country. So when the time will come to consider a rebuilding of a new force, we will talk about those issues in a timely fashion.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I would only add to what the President-elect has said, that the United States has pledged not only a partnership, but one where we look to assist him in achieving his priorities for the people of his country. We have also suggested that we can work with the large international and NGO community together so that everyone is committed to pursuing in a transparent, open way the priorities that the President-elect has determined will make the biggest difference in the lives of Haitians. He is committed to results, he wants to deliver for the Haitian people, and we are committed to helping him do so.
Thank you all, very much.
There’s still a certain fire in her eyes when she talks about political campaigns. It looks like she still gets charged up about them. She likes Martelly’s political skills, I think. Look at her! He seems to have earned himself quite a fan.
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I think she was very invested in this run-off being fair and legit. When she was down there, she met with all three contenders, even Celestin who was not a legit candidate in the run-off (Preval’s pick). But I think she’s happy he was not on the final ballot (as he did not deserve to be), and that the election was a fair contest between Martelly and Manigat. It’s a new start for Haiti. Makes me glad. Think it makes her glad, too.
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She did follow this election closely, as did her squire, and I’m sure this new start for Haiti. There was a glimmer in her eye when she was talking about the campaign and such. I guess you can take the lady out of politics but you can’t take politics out of the lady.
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I hope that glimmer grows! We need a real leader, Mme. Secretary!
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I don’t know how she could retire from public life when politics and policy still appear to be so exciting for her.
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Neither do I, discourse. Neither do I.
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Her husband had to go into the private sector because he had gone as far as one can in American public policy, but he still gets involved. He campaigned in 2010. I’m not sure he’ll be out in force in 1012, but he’ll probably make an appearance. It wouldn’t be an election cycle without him.
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I am popping the corn!
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He might be too, but I’m sure he’ll show up once or twice. He had to leave though. His Madame Secretary has more options if she chooses to pursue them.
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Yes, if she chooses or if she has no choice. (That also could happen.)
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I’m not a draft supporter. I want her to have chosen to work for the people, if she runs for anything else. The last scraps of my youthful idealism want my government officials to want to, and possibly even enjoy, working for their country and its citizens. Yeah, I know, just call me Mr. Smith, right?
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I don’t mean a draft. I mean he could lose backing, and if she’s the only viable one, she would have to run. I think she would not think twice, but it wouldn’t exactly be her choice. He is out there talking (campaigning). I don’t know how much cred he has left after these >two years.
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My father and I were talking about this very thing over dinner and an interesting point was raised. Imagine that you’re from a country in which the vast majority of the people don’t understand how the American government works. You know that Barack Obama is President, but the one who is out in front on much of what would garner international attention (Libya, etc…) is being handled almost entirely by someone else – Hillary. Who do you think is in charge?
How can we look strong as a nation and our President be seen as a strong leader when it looks like someone else is running the place? I’m convinced that there are many places around the world where President Obama and Secretary Clinton are viewed the same way many in the US view Russia’s President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin – that the former is the puppet of the latter. That’s not good for us at all.
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So what’s the solution? To leave Obama out there alone and incompetent? You know he is going to fail us on every side. He caves. He caves. I almost want to sing it to a Ricky Martin song!
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I don’t know what the solution is. I can not get behind the Republicans’ ideas , particularly when they’ve gone so far to the right they’re approaching Wingnutville on several issues, but the Democrat’s candidate isn’t doing his job – something that I have gotten extremely intolerant of is losing my own. I wish that somebody would sit Obama down, momentarily forget the whole “respect the office” thing, and tell it like I did a post or two back – it looks like we have two Presidents and that is not good for the nation. Put on the grown-up pants and get a little tougher. There are plenty of solid House Democrats and a few in the Senate that would be glad to help you with that. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many people who are able to forget the pomp and circumstance and tell a President how it really is.
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Oh, by the way, the only reason I didn’t post that American Idol clip of William Hung is because I think it’ll get cropped because of all the replies. (Holy comment nesting, Batman!) It wasn’t a sudden increase in my maturity level or anything. 😉
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William Hung! 😀 LOL!!!!
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He’s campaigning. Meanwhile, Secretary Clinton is welcoming the Haitian President-Elect to the US and expanding aide to Libya and Vice President Biden is organizing bipartisan deficit talks. Hmmm…
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I know. As predicted/predictable.
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At least one half of the ’12 ticket is working. Unfortunately, it’s not the half that gets the votes.
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The other half isn’t even making an effort! “Elect me because… I’m sitting here.” That’s the thinking that gets people a 30-40 year president. We don’t take that route.
I’m watching her again on PBS and thinking she’s POTUS and he is Home Secretary (not doing well). She’s our face to the world. Can we really aford to lose her to the private sector right now?
This administration is a house of cards. Clinton-Gates is the mainstay. Can you really imagine an Obama administration succeeding if that is gone? I cannot.
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My reply got lost (not wearing my glasses 😦 ), but I think the administration will still succeed post-Gates depending on who replaces him. Hillary has many friends in the Pentagon and seems to get along with the Defense Dept. types.
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But what about when SHE goes?
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There are others with a healthy grasp of world affairs who are capable of doing a great job at State. The key will be getting another group that can work together. We’ve seen what a mess is created when the departments have to compete for West Wing attention.
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You have a lot of faith.
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I don’t think it requires an extreme leap of faith. Your girl is not sitting alone in a Foggy Bottom office crafting our nation’s foreign policy. She has many very skilled people working with her advising and helping and learning. Also there are good policy minds in the private sector at various institutes. Hillary Clinton is unique, but there are other intelligent individuals who could do the job of Secretary of State. They would have their own style, but the work would still get done.
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Rothkopf agrees with me.
http://rothkopf.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/04/21/a_brewing_storm_in_the_national_security_team
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Oh, I think he’s right. Once Gates and Mullen leave, Hillary loses her allies in inter-administration arguments and she’ll probably be very diminished in her last few months, but that will allow her time to ready the department for her departure. However, I don’t think that the whole country will fall to bits because your girl’s put in a corner and told to be quiet so long as there are strong, competent people filling these positions in a timely manner as they are vacated.
The challenge for the administration will be choosing a new crew that works as well together as the the previous group did if they are re-elected.
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I said that once Gates, Mullen, and Hillary are gone, success is a crap-shoot. He will not find a combo like that. I was not talking about Gates (and Mullen) leaving and Hillary staying, When all three are gone, he is in trouble. They have been his net for 2.5 years. I don’t know how he gets a net like that again. More likely he gets the usual duels. He is not strong enough, as a president or a person, to weather that.
He is not an activist. He isn’t even a reactivist. He is a non-activist. The sedentary president. I am disgusted. All he is ready to do is make another speech that he didn’t write or bother to familiarize himself with.
I am sick of him sitting on his hands.
SERIOUSLY? Debating WHETHER to make a speech? For 3 MONTHS? Step aside, sir! NEXT! “For three months, White House officials have been debating whether the time has come for Mr. Obama to make a major address on the region’s turmoil, including the upheaval in the Arab world….”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/world/middleeast/21prexy.html?_r=2
He’s the effing POTUS! He is in favor of the speech? He can’t override Dennis Ross? Pablum! Wimp! Baby in the WH!
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Three months debating whether to deal with the Israel/Palestinian thing. I got news for Obama, this isn’t even a choice. We have been a part of the problem and the solution in that area for so long that we can’t simply abandon either side because his poll numbers are down and whenever he says “Israel,” some dumb fool on the right screams “Muslim!” and collapses in a fit of convulsions.
A President can decide when to deal with domestic issue – choosing to focus on fiscal rather than social issues, for example – but when things happen in the world at large, as the world’s largest economy, strongest military force, and only superpower at the moment, we usually don’t have a choice about whether or not we weigh in and it’s often best to handle international issues sooner rather than later. The current state of the Afghan Conflict should provide a lesson for what happens when we put important international challenges on the back burner until they’re convenient. News flash, Mr. President – they rarely are.
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Thumbs up….”like”… Yes!
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[…] The winner was Michel Martelly with no government credentials or experience. […]
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