IF THE original plans for rectifying Haiti's chaotic politics had been allowed, the people of the neighbouring country would be starting this coming weekend a round of voting for a legislature and a president. In the event, the elections have again been put back by the clear impotence of the administration of Gerard Latortue, the interim Prime Minister.
Mr. Latortue said on Monday that the voting has been set back by three weeks, blaming problems caused by "considerable delays in the logistics and finalisation of the lists of candidates."
We believe that it is highly unlikely that additional time alone will resolve the problems. Mr. Latortue's administration is not in control of the country. It has little credibility among Haitians, and appears incapable of organising the elections.
The situation has not been helped by the apparent impotence of the United States in dealing with the matter. Having installed and backed Mr. Latortue as the Prime Minister, Washington appears unable or unwilling to do anything about his failure to bring order to the chaos in the country.
The United States confusion was clear in the limp offerings of Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State, when she visited Haiti recently. Her proposals that Haitians "must accelerate preparations for the elections," that "more polling places be established," and her suggestion that "the electoral calendar needs to be finalised," do not indicate any workable plan for resolving the problems.
The Haitian situation calls for action by the U.S. that is much stronger than platitudes from its leading diplomat. In installing Mr. Latortue, the U.S. promised the people of Haiti that a solution to political confusion and economic depression was impending. The country's chaos has worsened.
The U.S.'s resources are understandably stretched. It is being financially and politically drained by the quagmire it has found in Iraq. Damage by 'Katrina' and 'Rita' will eat up more of its attention and its resources.
However, we believe that firm action, rather than a flying visit, is needed from Washington. The U.S. must become directly involved in leading an international mission to help to organise and conduct the elections in Haiti.
Having previously been very vocal on the unsuitability of the previous president - who had been fairly and freely elected - Washington cannot now withdraw into inaction and hide behind suggestions that Haitians should do better.
We contend that having promised so much to the Haitians, the U.S. must deliver.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
