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Congresswoman Waters Expresses Concern about Efforts to Illegally Arrest President Aristide in Haiti

October 2, 2014

Congresswoman Waters Expresses Concern about Efforts to Illegally Arrest President Aristide in Haiti

September 12, 2014

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, expressing deep concern that there is an effort to illegally arrest President Aristide in Haiti. Copies of the letter were sent to Thomas C. Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator, and Ambassador Pamela A. White, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti.

The text of the letter follows:

I am extremely concerned about the situation in Haiti.

I have been informed that orders were given to lift all of the officers from the police unit that was providing security at the home of President Aristide, and all of the police left the vicinity this morning at about 1:00 am. That leaves President Aristide and his family totally exposed.

I am deeply concerned that there is an effort to illegally arrest President Aristide. Given the fact that President Aristide's supporters have gathered around his house in recent days in an effort to show their support for him, one can reasonably expect that they will surround his house in order to prevent his arrest. No one should want a confrontation between President Aristide's supporters and the police. I fear that a dangerous situation may be developing that could lead to a loss of life and further political instability in Haiti.

Please intervene immediately to avoid an unnecessary and dangerous confrontation and ensure that chaos does not ensue in Haiti.

To read more about Congresswoman Waters' longtime work on Haiti, click here.

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