Oberstar Reacts to Haiti Earthquake

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar describes the earthquake in Haiti as a human tragedy of unimaginable proportions. He says there was abject poverty and distress in Haiti prior to the earthquake, and "I can only imagine how horrid the situation is now."

The 8th District DFL-er says Haiti lacks good roads and bridges, hospitals and emergency services to aid its citizens in a disaster like this. Haiti is a nation of nine million people, living in an area the size of St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties in Northeast Minnesota, and this nation lacks the most basic services necessary to recover from a disaster of this magnitude.

As the richest nation in the world, Oberstar says "The U.S. have a moral responsibility to help the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere in such a time of such dire need. However, there are practical considerations in our own national interest for assisting Haiti as well."

"This is a pivotal moment for democracy in Haiti. President Rene Garcia Preval has established stability, continuity and trust in government."

Oberstar cautions, "If the Haitian government fails in this humanitarian crisis, the political turmoil will be unimaginable, and will plunge the country into another decade, or more, of even worse distress."