US: Haiti needs credible elections

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Haiti must have credible elections to maintain support from the United States and the international community, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said Thursday.

The U.S. representative to the United Nations told the Security Council that the United States welcomes the recommendations made by the Organization of American States, including an OAS call for runoff elections in Haiti.
The results of a Nov. 28 presidential election are under challenge.

"Sustained support from the international community, including the United States, requires a credible process that represents the will of the Haitian people, as expressed by their votes," she told the 15-member council.

Rice further urged Haitian officials to "outline a very clear way forward that will lead promptly to the inauguration of a legitimate and democratically elected government."

Rice spoke during a briefing on Haiti's progress one year after a devastating earthquake killed more than 200,000 people.

Haiti's political situation remains shaky one year after the earthquake. A cholera epidemic has complicated reconstruction efforts, and this week's surprise return of former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier has provided a new distraction.

After briefing the Security Council on conditions in Haiti, U.N. peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy acknowledged to reporters that "for the time being, the political situation is very complicated" with Duvalier's return. Meanwhile, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is saying he might return as well.

Rioting broke out across Haiti in December when preliminary results from the Nov. 28 first-round election were announced. They indicated the runoff would be between former first lady Mirlande Manigat and current President Rene Preval's candidate, state-run construction company chief Jude Celestin.

Supporters of the third-place candidate, popular singer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, barricaded streets and burned Celestin's campaign headquarters to demand their man be named president.

A planned Jan. 16 runoff was postponed and the OAS team called in to review allegations of fraud.

"Given the continuing turmoil surrounding the November 2010 election, the United States is concerned about the unpredictable impact that Duvalier's return may have on Haiti's political situation," Rice told the council.

Duvalier was 19 when he assumed the presidency following the death of his father, Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, and ruled from 1971-1986.

The two leaders presided over a dark chapter in modern Haitian history with a secret police force known as the Tonton Macoute torturing and killing political opponents.

"My government is clear about Duvalier's notorious record of human rights abuses and corruption," Rice said. "The situation on the ground is obviously fluid, but the government of Haiti seems to be taking initial steps to hold Duvalier accountable for his actions during his time ruling Haiti."