To get U.S. help, Haiti should establish better security and more efficient distribution of aid, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek advises.

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES

PORT-AU--PRINCE -- After two days of inspecting humanitarian aid programs, South Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek urged Haiti's new government Thursday to quickly improve security and its ability to receive and distribute the assistance.

''There are some individuals on both sides of the aisles in Washington, D.C., who would like to find any reason to freeze dollars and resources to Haiti,'' he said, ``due to the fact that the government has not been able to provide the kind of atmosphere that will be useful for a democracy.''

Meek's tour, organized by the U.S. Embassy and the Agency for International Development, included visits to three northern Haitian cities; the seaport in Port-au-Prince, which was looted during the February revolt against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide; and two major warehouses where humanitarian assistance is kept.

While officials in charge said operations were getting back to normal following the crisis, they underscored the dire need for more aid in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.

''We are getting stuff in but we can always use more,'' said Jeff D'Adesky, who manages the USAID Shodesca warehouse where on Thursday 5.5 million pounds of foodstuffs was awaiting distribution.

Meek's visit was originally billed as a fact-finding mission to see how the crisis had affected humanitarian aide to Haiti and as preparation for an international donors conference here next week.

But the South Florida Democrat who represents one of the largest Haitian-American communities also addressed Haiti's fragile security status, the lack of electricity and lingering presence of armed anti-Aristide rebels.

He said that means ensuring security for new elections promised for next year and securing Haiti's 10 seaports, now in danger of being shut down.

''It could be a major catastrophe,'' Réginald Villard said as he pointed out to Meek the need for fencing, lighting and access controls. ``Anybody can just walk in here.''

During a brief visit with interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, Meek also stressed that the government must ensure that it represents all Haitians -- including members of Aristide's Lavalas Family Party.

''You are going to have advocates in Washington, D.C., but don't make our jobs hard by going after members of the Lavalas Party and incarcerating them but overlooking individuals who are known thugs and troublemakers on the streets of Haiti,'' he said.