HAITI'S WORSENING CRISIS

Even when it appears that conditions couldn't get worse in Haiti, they do.
Armed gangs now roam the streets. Drug trafficking, highway robbery and
violence are widespread. The economy is a black hole.

Meanwhile, Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government and opposition groups
irresponsibly are not meeting the commitments that they agreed to in a plan
that aims to end Haiti's political and economic paralysis. They missed the
plan's first deadline this week to appoint a nine-member electoral council.

No wonder Luigi Einaudi, the Organization of American State's deputy chief,
is frustrated. He painstakingly brokered the plan that could ultimately
restore Haiti's international aid and election process.

If Haiti's political parties continue to play winner-take-all politics,
there won't be much left to take of their country. While Haiti's
impoverished people suffer the consequences, so do neighboring countries --
including the United States -- on the receiving end of drugs and refugees.

Friends and neighbors of Haiti must redouble efforts to support the OAS
plan. Investing in restoring democracy and security now is far better than
dealing with a nation after it has descended into chaos.