On December 9, 2006, the 109 th Congress passed a special trade preferences bill for Haiti. H.R. Aristide's First Term in Office (February-September 1991)

Jean-Bertrand Aristide was first elected President in December 1990, in elections that were widely heralded as the first free and fair elections in Haiti's then-186-year history. For over three years, the military regime resisted international demands that Aristide be restored to office. On September 18, 1994, when it learned that a U.S. military intervention had been launched, the military regime signed an agreement with the United States providing for Aristide's return. It also called for the immediate, unopposed entry of U.S. troops, a legislative amnesty for the military, and the resignation of the military leadership. President Aristide returned to Haiti on October 15, 1994, under the protection of some 20,000 U.S. troops. Préval assumed office in February 1996. Saying that the 1997 elections were marred by fraud, Préval's Prime Minister resigned. Presidential elections were held on November 26, 2000. OAS/CARICOM12 Efforts to Resolve Haitian Conflict

Efforts to resolve the electoral disputes of 1997 and 2000 frustrated the international community for years. Tensions and violence in Haiti increased dramatically after Aristide assumed his second term in office. Opposition groups refused to negotiate a settlement or participate in elections unless Aristide resigned. CARICOM continued trying to negotiate a solution to the crisis. The Bush Administration suspects Philippe of drug trafficking. Results of February 2006 Elections

First round presidential and legislative elections were held, after several months of delays, on February 7, 2006. He was inaugurated to a five-year presidential term on May 14. The Préval Presidency

President René Préval has outlined two main missions for his government: to build institutions and to establish conditions for private investment in order to create jobs. 6142 , Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 2006], which was approved on December 9, 2006 and incorporated into the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 as Title V ( P.L. U.S. Policy and Congressional Concerns

The main priorities for U.S. policy regarding Haiti during the second session of the 110 th Congress are to continue to improve security, promote sustainable economic development, and strengthen fragile democratic processes now that an elected government is in place. The Bush Administration continued this policy. 2764 / P.L. The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act ( H.R. After armed rebellions led to the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004, an interim government took over, but security conditions remain tenuous. 110-161 ( H.R. H.Res. H.Res. 241 (Waters). H.Res. 909 (Meek). 351 (Lee). 454 (Meek). 522 (Hastings). H.R. H.R. 1001 (Spratt). H.R. 1645 (Gutierrez). 2830 (Oberstar). H.R. S. 222 (Graham). S. 821 (Smith). S. 1348 (Reid). Legislation in the 109th Congress

P.L. Section 549 (c) prohibits any 'International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement' funds from being used to transfer excess weapons, ammunition, or other lethal property of an agency of the United States government to the government of Haiti for use by the Haitian National Police until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that (1) the United Nations Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has carried out the vetting of the senior levels of the Haitian National Police and has ensured that those credibly alleged to have committed serious crimes, including drug trafficking and human rights violations, have been suspended; and (2) the Transitional Haitian National Government is cooperating in a reform and restructuring plan for the Haitian National Police and the reform of the judicial system as called for in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1608 adopted on June 22, 2005. 109-234 ( H.R. 109-432 ( H.R. 6142 ) was incorporated into the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 as Title V. Allows duty-free entry to specified apparel articles 50% of which were made and/or assembled in Haiti, the United States, or a country that is either a beneficiary of a U.S. trade preference program, or party to a U.S. free trade agreement (for the first three years; the percentage would be higher after that).
Following the first free and fair elections in Haiti's history, Jean-Bertrand Aristide first became Haitian President in February 1991. He was overthrown by a military coup in September 1991. For over three years, the military regime resisted international demands that Aristide be restored to office. In September 1994, after a U.S. military intervention had been launched, the military regime agreed to Aristide's return, the immediate, unopposed entry of U.S. troops, and the resignation of its leadership. President Aristide returned to Haiti in October 1994 under the protection of some 20,000 U.S. troops, and disbanded the Haitian army. U.S. aid helped train a civilian police force. Subsequently, critics charged Aristide with politicizing that force and engaging in corrupt practices.
Elections held under Aristide and his successor, René Préval (1996-2000), including the one in which Aristide was reelected in 2000, were marred by alleged irregularities, low voter turnout, and opposition boycotts. Efforts to negotiate a resolution to the electoral dispute frustrated the international community for years. Tension and violence continued throughout Aristide's second term, culminating in his departure from office in February 2004, after the opposition repeatedly refused to negotiate a political solution and armed groups took control of half the country.
An interim government, backed by the Bush Administration, was established with Gérard LaTortue as Prime Minister. The U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has tried to improve security conditions, but Haiti remains unstable. Natural disasters have contributed to instability. After several postponements, presidential elections were held on February 7, 2006, and runoff legislative elections were held on April 21. The electoral council declared René Préval winner after a controversial calculation process. He was inaugurated to a five-year presidential term on May 14, 2006. President Préval has sought to restore stability, build democratic institutions, and establish conditions for private investment in order to create jobs. He enjoys broad support from the international donor community, the Bush Administration, and Congress. On December 9, 2006, the 109th Congress passed a special trade preferences bill for Haiti (the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement/HOPE Act of 2006, Title V, P.L. 109-432).
Congressional concerns regarding Haiti include fostering democratic development, stability, and security; the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking; addressing Haitian migration; and alleviating poverty. The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764/P.L. 110-161) includes a number of provisions on U.S. aid to Haiti that are described in this report. During its second session, the 110th Congress may consider a variety of legislation that has provisions on Haiti: H.Res. 234, H.Res. 241, H.Res. 909, H.R. 351, H.R. 454, H.R. 522, H.R. 750, H.R. 1001, H.R. 1645, H.R. 2830, H.R. 4986, S. 222, S. 821, and S. 1348. An expansion or extension of current trade benefits provided through the HOPE Act may also be considered. This report will be not be updated.