President Michel Martelly Is Talking For Haitians In Washington

President-elect Michel Martelly is visiting the United States beginning Tuesday for talks with the heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In a statement late Monday, Martelly's office said the visit will focus on job creation, education, security, reconstruction and health.

Martelly, who is to take office May 14, is to meet with Secretary of State Clinton on Wednesday, and hold a news conference Thursday in Washington.

Haiti's electoral council has declared Martelly the winner of the March 20 presidential runoff, but there have been repeated delays in announcing the official results.

Martelly succeeds President Rene Preval.

Haiti is struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake in January 2010 that killed more than 200,000 people and displaced more than a million.

A cholera outbreak that began in October has killed thousands.

Martelly says his goals include free tuition for all children nationwide, housing for people living in tent camps following last year's earthquake, and strengthening the agricultural sector so Haiti can become more self-sufficient.