US secretary of state commends Haiti's progress after quake

U.S. State Secretary John Kerry on Wednesday praised Haiti for its economic and political progress made in four years after a devastating earthquake struck the impoverished Caribbean nation. Economic indicators have gone up in Haiti, which is "the direction that we want to see it going," Kerry told reporters before a meeting with visiting Haitian President Michel Martelly. Kerry also praised Martelly for his "enormous commitment" to transiting Haiti from reconstruction into a long-term development program. The massive quake, which struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, killed some 220,000 people and left 1.5 million others homeless, according to UN figures. Kerry said he hoped Haiti could build on the progress Martelly has achieved with respect to the country's economic development and health conditions. Under Martelly's leadership, elections are now on the horizon, said the top U.S. envoy, adding that he expected all of the electoral positions in Haiti could be filled out for the first time. Martelly thanked the United States for its long-time support to Haiti, "particularly at the time of big struggle." He will meet with President Barack Obama Thursday.