HAITI TASK FORCE TO DISCUSS ISSUES

[T-dodo]

Posted on Fri, Jan. 28, 2005
CORAL GABLES

Members of Gov. Jeb Bush's Haiti task force will spend today discussing reforestation and disaster preparedness on the Caribbean island, which is still recovering from devastating September floods that left tens of thousands of Haitians homeless and thousands dead.

In addition, committee members will hear details about a recent three-day visit by five committee members to the island earlier this month.

''It was a really positive trip,'' said Task Force Chairwoman Marie Florence Bell, who was among the members who visited Haiti and met with interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, members of the private sector and the country's electoral council.

Bell, who will provide a report to the full committee during today's noon meeting at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, said she was most impre
ssed with the fact that the Haitian government had balanced its budget and provided members with a copy.

The committee is expected to conclude its work by March 1, with a report on how Florida can assist Haiti's recovery.