On June 25, 2014, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies hosted Haitian President Michel Martelly and a delegation of senior Haitian officials. The occasion marks the first time an incumbent Haitian President has visited The Perry Center.
Following introductory remarks by NDU President Major General Gregg Martin and acting Perry Center Director Ken LaPlante, President Martelly spoke with faculty and staff members and presented Perry Center with a portrait of Jean-Jacque Dessalines for the Center's Hall of Founding Fathers. The Hall highlights principal historic figures of countries in the Hemisphere.
While in Washington, D.C., President Martelly also attended the Inter-American Defense College course graduation, held at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS).
The Haitian delegation included H.E. Duly Brutus, Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Lener Renauld, Minister of Defense; H.E. Paul Altidor, Haitian Ambassador to the United States; H.E. Denis Regis, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the UN; H.E. Bocchit Edmond, Haitian Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS); Minister Counselor William Exantus from the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Mr. Charles A. Forbin, Consul General of Haiti in New York; Minister Counselor Leon Charles, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the OAS; and Minister Counselor Josue Pierre, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the OAS.