Jolie urges patience for Haiti adoptions

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Angelina Jolie said during a visit to Haiti that now is not the time for foreigners to consider adopting children from the quake-stricken country.

Speaking out during a recent visit to Port-au-Prince, the Hollywood star acknowledged many foreigners may be considering adopting Haitian children in an attempt to help, but said such ideas should be put on hold, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"For somebody who is an adoptive parent, I understand the urge to assist in that way. But now is not the time, an emergency is not the time for new adoptions in any way," Jolie said.

Jolie, 34, who serves as a U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill ambassador, said among adoption concerns in Haiti is the fact that many mothers became separated from their children after the Jan. 12 quake.

"We don't know who is an orphan. I've met Haitian women in the Dominican Republic in hospitals who were saying they haven't spoken to their children," the "Wanted" actress said.

Meanwhile, The Sun said Jolie got a jump start on Valentine's Day by purchasing a 200-year-old olive tree for her domestic partner, actor Brad Pitt. The couple has six children, three adopted.