HAITIANS ARE voting today in the hope of ending a period of political chaos and economic depression. Recent years have been troubled and painful for our close neighbour.
An incompetent interim administration, able to control only a small part of the capital city, has led to political confusion and uncertainty. This has been compounded by criminal and factional violence, fuelled by fears among supporters of ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide that they were being singled out for unfair treatment, and encouraged by seeming official support for the illegal armed gangs that control many parts of the country.
The election will not bring immediate improvement to the long-suffering people of Haiti. However, it will clear the way for international support for the country.
Haiti's neighbours must help. The Caribbean Community, arguing with justification that it cannot support the overthrow of a properly elected government, has insisted that Haiti restore a democratic administration as a condition for normalising relations.
We hope that this will be done with alacrity after the proper conclusion of the election, despite lingering concerns within the region about the likely impact of embracing Haiti.
It would be unreasonable for Haiti's neighbours to continue asking for international help for the country, without themselves making a meaningful contribution, as limited as this may be.
It is also critical to the future of Haiti that the result of the election be accepted by the international community. We note already the descriptions in parts of Washington of Mr. René Preval, the front-runner, as a 'clone' of Mr. Aristide, with suggestions that a Lavalas administration would not be welcomed by the United States.
If this were to be the official view, it would deny the people of Haiti the benefit of exercising their democratic rights. The choice of the people must be accepted and supported by all.
There are no mysteries about what should be the priorities for the new Haitian administration. Haiti needs political peace and a dismantling of the gangs that have taken over much of the country.
The country also needs immediate and significant economic assistance. This should not only be short-term aid, but should be a well financed and properly structured economic programme to encourage steady economic expansion.
The country needs reform and restructuring of its institutions, particularly the judiciary, the constabulary and local government authorities. There is also a demand for improvement to key elements of physical and utility infrastructure, such as roads, ports, telecommunications and power.
We hope that today's election will deliver a credible result, clearing the way for Haitians to make yet another attempt at political order and economic development.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
