Haïti's Prime-minister, Mrs. Michèle D. Pierre-Louis

Haiti, no stranger to volatile politics, is seeing more of it with the Haitian Senate's recent no-confidence vote removing Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis and her government from office.

The United States respects the vote and Haiti's regard for the democratic process. The nation's leaders should now act quickly to put a new government in place to avoid instability. Haiti's future is in its own hands.

The former prime minister has been an informed, responsive and valuable representative of her country's interests and an important partner in Haiti's close dealing with the United States. Her leadership in last year's post-hurricane reconstruction and economic development merit special commendation.

The Senate's action to seek new leadership comes at a critical time when the international community has stepped up efforts to bolster Haiti's democratic, economic and social well-being. President Rene Preval has nominated a new prime minister, and the U.S. looks forward to a swift confirmation in accordance with the democratic process. Any change in leadership may cause uncertainty in Haiti or, for that matter, any nation. Such a change in Haiti now, however, might affect the enthusiasm and effectiveness of efforts underway to attract economic aid and new investment there.

The United States encourages all Haitians to work together and with the international community in a spirit of cooperation to address the nation's many urgent needs and to keep Haiti on a path towards sustainable development.