Related News
Sarah Palin visits Haiti under tight guard
Source: Agencies |
December 12, 2010, Sunday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
FORMER Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin began a tightly stage-managed visit to Haiti yesterday in which she visited cholera clinics while avoiding crowds and the press.
The 2008 vice presidential candidate was a guest of Rev. Franklin Graham, whose aid group works in the impoverished country. Haiti is facing a brutal cholera epidemic while struggling with an electoral crisis and reconstruction from the January earthquake.
Palin, who traveled in part by helicopter, provided access on her tour solely to the US cable network Fox News.
Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, refused to discuss Palin's itinerary with other media and asked Haitian and American reporters to leave its compounds, citing a "security lockdown."
"I've really enjoyed meeting this community. They are so full of joy," Palin was quoted as saying on the organization's website. "We are so fortunate in America, and we are responsible for helping those less fortunate."
Samaritan's Purse posted pictures online of Palin touring a post-quake shelter, touching the hand of a Haitian child and laughing with Graham and Fox News host Greta van Susteren.
Palin's visit comes amid a cholera outbreak that has killed more than 2,000 people and sickened more than 96,000 others.
Though Port-au-Prince was calm for most of the day, Palin avoided the capital, heading north to visit a Samaritan's Purse project in the small town of Bercy.
No Haitians interviewed had heard of Palin, but when told she is an American politican, they said her visit was welcome.
"It would be good if she came, because we could tell her that we need medicine and jobs," said Roseline Frederique, a 21-year-old resident of the capital's Cite Soleil slum who is being treated for cholera symptoms.
The 2008 vice presidential candidate was a guest of Rev. Franklin Graham, whose aid group works in the impoverished country. Haiti is facing a brutal cholera epidemic while struggling with an electoral crisis and reconstruction from the January earthquake.
Palin, who traveled in part by helicopter, provided access on her tour solely to the US cable network Fox News.
Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, refused to discuss Palin's itinerary with other media and asked Haitian and American reporters to leave its compounds, citing a "security lockdown."
"I've really enjoyed meeting this community. They are so full of joy," Palin was quoted as saying on the organization's website. "We are so fortunate in America, and we are responsible for helping those less fortunate."
Samaritan's Purse posted pictures online of Palin touring a post-quake shelter, touching the hand of a Haitian child and laughing with Graham and Fox News host Greta van Susteren.
Palin's visit comes amid a cholera outbreak that has killed more than 2,000 people and sickened more than 96,000 others.
Though Port-au-Prince was calm for most of the day, Palin avoided the capital, heading north to visit a Samaritan's Purse project in the small town of Bercy.
No Haitians interviewed had heard of Palin, but when told she is an American politican, they said her visit was welcome.
"It would be good if she came, because we could tell her that we need medicine and jobs," said Roseline Frederique, a 21-year-old resident of the capital's Cite Soleil slum who is being treated for cholera symptoms.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
