U.S. Firms Lobby Haiti for Reconstruction Deals

Haitians attempt to dig through concrete where they believe 20 people are buried, in the Nerette area of Petionville, Haiti.

In other Haiti news, the Miami Herald reports at least two politically-connected U.S. firms have begun jockeying for lucrative reconstruction contracts. The firms, Florida-based AshBritt and DRC Group of Alabama, have already held separate meetings with Haitian President Rene Preval. Ashbritt has attracted controversy for a $900 million dollar government contract after Hurricane Katrina. Critics say Ashbritt was favored over local contractors in part through its donations to influential political lobbyists.



Source: DemocracyNow