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Haiti's President Delivers National Address Seeking to Calm Furious Nation

Sandra Lemaire

   Matiado Vilme in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Arthur Jean Pierre in
   Washington contributed to this report
   WASHINGTON / PORT-AU-PRINCE - Haitian President Jovenel Moise broke his
   long silence Tuesday and delivered a national speech that sought to
   calm a furious nation, reeling from violence, political chaos and
   economic woes.

   "We must gather our courage. Hold hands and cast aside our divisions,"
   Moise said. "We must embrace what unites us, together we can."

   Referring to his decision not to travel abroad, the president said, "I
   canceled my trip to the United States to deliver a speech before the
   74th General Assembly of the United Nations. I made this decision so I
   could address the problems of the country. I want to speak to you today
   about the political crossroads we face today."

   Moise had been scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly
   in New York on Tuesday, but issued a statement announcing that Foreign
   Minister Bocchit Edmond would represent Haiti and deliver a speech on
   Thursday..

   Moise's national address follows a shooting at the Senate Monday
   morning during which a ruling party senator, Ralph Fethiere, fired on
   opposition supporters who he said rushed his car and his entourage.

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