majority of the population, which is poor, illiterate, and speaks only Creole, 

according to documentation.

With the suspension of U.S. assistance to the Haitian judicial sector in July 

2000, the Haitian government is not likely to sustain much of the progress 

made possible by the assistance. According to U.S. and other donor 

officials, Haiti has limited resources to continue the activities supported by 

U.S. assistance, and it is not likely that the Haitian government will receive 

assistance from other donors to replace the U.S. assistance.

Haitian Government 

The primary factor affecting the success of U.S. assistance to improve the 

Has Not Shown a 

justice institutions in Haiti is the Haitian government's lack of clear 

commitment to supporting the police and judicial sectors and dealing with 

Strong Political Will to 

the main problems affecting these institutions. 

Strengthen Justice 

Institutions

The Haitian Government 

U.S. assistance to the police has been undermined because the Haitian 

Lacks Strong Commitment 

government after showing a strong initial commitment to establishing a 

to Strengthening the Police 

civilian controlled police force failed (1) to strengthen the organizational 

Force

capabilities of the force; (2) to support investigations of police corruption 

and serious crimes; and (3) to keep the police out of politics, particularly 

during the past election year.

The Haitian government's failure to strengthen the organizational 

capabilities of the police has hindered U.S. efforts to improve the 

capabilities of the force, according to U.S. officials. Although the Haitian 

government supported the creation of the current police force and has 

allocated the bulk of the Ministry of Justice budget to the police and 

prisons about 83 percent of this budget in 1996 97 the government has 

weakened the police by not filling key leadership positions, such as the 

Inspector General, and by not strengthening or creating key units. For 

instance, since the unexpected departure of the Inspector General in May 

2000, his office has stopped vigorously investigating police misbehavior, 

including corruption. Also, some key police units that are operational, such 

as the Haitian Coast Guard and the antinarcotics unit, still have limited 

capabilities because the government has not provided needed resources 

and personnel. According to the Department of State, the Haitian 

government failed to increase the size of the antinarcotics unit, as had been 

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GAO 01 24  Foreign Assistance