In his appearance on BBC Radio on September 27, executive director James Morrell also made these points:
- This visit was opportune because it put the weight of the United States behind the electoral process, and sent a warning to those who would disrupt that process.
- In response to a question about the presidential candidates, Morrell said that it mattered less who won than that the process be seen as free, fair and inclusive by the Haitians.
- A valid election could deliver what Haiti needed most: an accepted, stable government. Such a regime could provide the floor on which security, aid-absorption, and job-creation could be built and Haiti’s shattering poverty addressed.
- Asked how the situation was generally in Haiti, Morrell replied, “Miserable.” Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the two or three hungriest countries in the world. Political instability was the cause.
- Asked whether Haitians would receive Condoleezza Rice’s visit favorably, given that many blamed the United States for overthrowing Aristide in 2004, Morrell replied that the majority of Haitians did not spend their time blaming the United States for their fate, since they had plenty of local politicians and actors to blame for that. Most Haitians would welcome Rice’s visit as promising greater U.S. support for Haiti’s recovery.
- Asked whether the Rice visit was mainly symbolic, Morrell replied that cameo appearances by political bigwigs were by their very nature symbolic, but that the visit cleared the way for greater U.S. inputs and resources for the elections.