by CÉSAR AGUILAR
MEXICO CITY. The ambassador of Haiti to Mexico, Robert Manuel, denied earlier this week that the government of the United States is invading Haiti by sending its troops to the country. Similarly, he denied claims by the media that Haiti's inhabitants live in a hellhole.
The ambassador assured that René Préval is and will remain Haiti's president until 2011 and asked for "prudence" and "respect" from the international community when referring to Haiti's government.
During a press conference at the headquarters of the Foreign Affairs Secretariat (SRE), the ambassador stated that the presence of the United States Navy is the result of a call for help from President Préval to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
"There is no invasion nor will there be one. The proof is that I am here representing Haiti's president and not the Navy," he said.
The ambassador also said that Haiti's government has the last say on how the United States Navy proceeds during their aid mission. He emphasized that they appreciate the humanitarian help because Haiti's population needs it and Haitians will also need help in the future to rebuild the country and maintain order.
"In such major confusion there are always mistakes, probably some countries disagree about what is being done and how it is done, but there is no invasion," he said.