‘We’re there to give what we can in resources, time and people’ says US Embassy here
THAT the devastated country of Haiti is now under the control of the United States – a statement recently made in the media – was dispelled Wednesday by Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Guyana Mr. Ken Reiman.

Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in Guyana, Mr. Ken Reiman, addressing the media Wednesday.

Reiman convened a meeting with members of the media at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, where he stressed that any statements about imperialism or taking over is completely inaccurate and grossly go against everything that the U.S. is doing in Haiti.

“The U.S. has been playing a very big part and we don’t want any kind of misunderstanding that somehow we’re over there to take over. We’re not. We’re not out there on some crusade to take over, but to give what we can in resources, time and people,” he stressed.

“This is a humanitarian cause and there is no other ulterior motive behind this. Despite there are other issues in the U.S., he (President Barrack Obama) jumped on this, and it shows the importance that the U.S. places on saving lives,” he continued.

Reiman observed that the U.S. President and the ‘White House’ had responded immediately, which has helped to save more lives, and he pointed out that the U.S., which was invited by Haiti to deliver assistance, will stop rendering such aid only when the Government of Haiti says that help is no longer needed.

With regard to reports suggesting that CARICOM has been blocked from entering Haiti, Reiman explained that the US military on these types of missions would usually keep a track record for safety purposes.

“There is airport safety, airport security, and you don’t want more lives harmed. When the experts are there and are looking at the situation on the ground, they have their reasons, and I can’t think of any other reason than security and safety,” he offered.

While “some people try to make a story out of something that really is not,” Reiman said the US Government is in favour of working with other donor countries and Non Governmental Organisations to provide the help that is necessary.

He mentioned, too, that there has been a very high level of communication between the two nations so that the groundwork for further cooperation has been laid.

According to a document from the Official State Department in the U.S., which Reiman distributed to reporters Wednesday, the U.S. is expanding and securing its distribution network to deliver more aid quickly to Haiti and this is a long-term commitment that will extend beyond the current emergency.

It said the Haitian Government is driving relief and recovery efforts as much as possible despite operating under the most difficult circumstances, while the U.S. is consulting and coordinating closely with Haitian authorities, the United Nations (U.N.), and the international community.

The document also said that the UN peacekeeping mission has the primary responsibility for security, which is responsible for rescue and relief efforts and the U.S. will provide every possible support, but will not supplant the U.N. in this role.

It mentioned that the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has contributed significantly, expanding feeding operations to 97,000 people, up from 67,000 Tuesday. And that the WFP estimates that it will require 100 million prepared meals over the next 30 days.

The US military hopes to have Haiti’s main port open in two or three days for shipments of emergency relief supplies, and the USNS Comfort is in Haiti with 1000 beds and medical supplies.

According to a joint communiqué of the Governments of Haiti and the U.S., issued at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on last January 17, President Rene Preval and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have recognised their mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty.

President Preval and Secretary Clinton jointly reaffirmed that the Governments of Haiti and the U.S. will continue to cooperate under this shared understanding to promote the most safe and effective rescue, relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts possible.