Posted on Tue, Jun. 29, 2004
REBUILDING HAITI
Gov. Bush unveils new Haiti panel
By JACQUELINE CHARLES
jcharles@herald.com
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- a target of criticism during his reelection campaign for not doing enough to help Haitian migrants -- spent Monday morning brainstorming with Haitian-American leaders about rebuilding their homeland.
The meeting follows the Republican governor's surprise visit earlier this month to the troubled Caribbean nation at the invitation of interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue.
It also comes in a presidential election year when the GOP, working aggressively to reelect the governor's brother, President George W. Bush, is heavily courting Haitian-American voters in a state where every vote counts.
''This is not about politics,'' Bush said in a brief interview after his meeting at the University of Miami, where he announced the formation of a new Haitian commission. ``This is about making a difference in a country that is our neighbor.''
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