Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 15, 2004
Question Taken at the October 15, 2004 Daily Press Briefing
Weapons Sales To Haiti and U.S. Contacts With Aristide
Question: Is the United States considering lifting an embargo on arms sales to Haiti?
Answer: Restrictions on arms exports remain in place. We continue to look for ways to be helpful to Haiti, and will
consider requests from the interim government pursuant to U.S. laws, regulations, and policies.
Question: Is the United States in touch with former president Aristide or any members of his entourage to ask for
cooperation in getting his followers in Haiti to cease their destabilization efforts?
Answer: We have repeatedly called on members of the Lavalas Party to engage the Haitian interim government in
accordance with democratic principles and the Haitian constitution, and to participate in the democratic process
currently under way. The United States is not in contact with former president Aristide or his entourage, either
directly or through intermediaries. However, in our public statements we have urged and will continue to urge him to
cease encouraging his followers from committing acts of violence.
2004/1118 [End]
Released on October 15, 2004