2006-05-14: (Préval Returns to the Presidency for a Second Term, the Only Haitian Leader to Serve Two Complete Terms and Preside Over Two Peaceful Transfers …
2006-05-14: (Préval Returns to the Presidency for a Second Term, the Only Haitian Leader to Serve Two Complete Terms and Preside Over Two Peaceful Transfers of Power): On May 14, 2006, René Préval was inaugurated as president for the second time, having won the February 2006 elections. He became the only Haitian leader in history to serve two complete presidential terms and preside over two peaceful transfers of power. His second administration focused on institutionalizing stability with the assistance of MINUSTAH, whose nine thousand troops, predominantly from Latin America, provided the security backbone that the disbanded army no longer could. Préval emphasized relations with the Dominican Republic and the United States, understanding that Haiti’s two most important bilateral relationships required constant attention. The stability was fragile, dependent on international military support, and vulnerable to the forces that had destroyed every previous period of Haitian governance. But it existed, and for Haiti, existence was an achievement.