I also want to thank the staff working with the Congressional Task Force on Haiti for their diligent work in crafting section Under the authorizing language contained in section 722. United States assistance to Haiti with certain exceptions. will be prohibited unless the Government of Haiti has embarked on a credible transition to democracy. The exceptions to this prohibition will be: assistance. provided through private voluntary organizations or other nongovernmental organizations. to meet humanitarian and developmental needs or to promote respect for human rights and the transition to democracy. assistance to enable the continuation of migrant and narcotics interdiction operations. assistance necessary for the financing of education for Haitians in the United States. and assistance to a genuinely independent electoral commission that is responsible for the holding of elections consistent with the 1987 Constitution. Section 722 also continues present United States policy by stating that while a credible transition to democracy is in progress in Haiti. United States assistance should be provided only on a stepbystep basis. in response to specific actions by the Government of Haiti to implement the transition and to foster a free and democratic society in which the Haitian people can prosper.