The Assistant Secretary of State, William Brownfield, who was visiting Port-au-Prince, announced Thursday that the U.S. government was open to the lifting of the embargo on the sale of weapons in Haiti [imposed in 1993 during the military coup against former President Jean Bertrand Aristide] "America is now open to supply arms to Haiti's National Police [PNH)" Brownfield said, during a joint press conference with Mario Andrésol, the Director General of the Police. "It will be under conditions agreed by both governments," adding that "a dialogue with the government of Haiti" was initiated in this regard.

As a first step to lifting of the embargo, the United States expect the establishment of a Haitian police force, professional and well prepared. In this regard, the U.S. secretary of state said he had seen "significant progress" in the Haitian police force, which now includes "highly professional agents."

Mario Andrésol presented a five-year plan for the development of the PNH, whose workforce whould grow from 10.000 to 16.000 agents by 2016 "Strengthening the police is a crucial point and we expect many of our partners, especially the United States" adding that the increase of this police force will allow, among other things, to better combat drug trafficking which has increased since January 2010 explaining that it plans to gradually increase from 200 to 300 the number of agents of the Office for the Fight against Illicit Narcotics Traffickin (BLTS).

S/ HaitiLibre