U.S. diplomat awarded US$5 million to Haiti ahead of national elections

A top U.S. diplomat on Friday awarded US$5 million (Ђ4.03 million) to Haiti ahead of national elections set for this fall. Chargй d'Affaires Tim Carney signed the grant agreement, bringing total U.S. funding for the elections amounts to US$31 million (Ђ24.9 million), the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. "The United States government recognises the importance of credible elections for the Haitian people, and is committed to supporting the new government," the embassy statement said. The winners of the Nov. 6 presidential and legislative elections will replace the interim government in power since a bloody rebellion ousted former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004. Separately Friday, visiting French Cooperation Minister Brigitte Girardin announced a donation worth US$1.24 million (Ђ1 million) to help Haitian schools, along with a US$1.24 million (Ђ1 million) food grant, reported AP.