PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for "fair" and "open" presidential elections in Haiti later this year, Haitian radio reported Wednesday.
Rice also said the Bush administration did not support the return of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
"The Haitian people are moving on," Rice said at a news conference in Port-au-Prince Tuesday.
Aristide left the country in February 2004 amid widespread violence and threats by armed rebel groups calling for his ouster.
Since then an interim government backed by the United States has taken charge of the troubled island nation. In May, the first of more than 7,000 U.N. peacekeepers arrived in Haiti to help bring security and stability to the country.
Despite their efforts, widespread violence continues, with Aristide supporters often clashing with U.N. troops, leaving hundreds of Haitians dead.
