U.S. easing Haiti arms restrictions

U.S. easing Haiti arms restrictions The U.S. State Department said it has amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to allow a partial lifting of the arms embargo against Haiti, effective October 4.
   The State Department said this will allow exports of defense-related articles and services to support security units of the Haitian government and United Nations. Permissible shipments include personal protective clothing, such as flak jackets and helmets.
   On Oct. 9, 1991, the United States suspended all licenses and approvals for military exports to Haiti in response to the overthrow of the democratically elected government at the time. In 1993, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo against Haiti.
   The United States agreed to change its stance on trade of certain military items with Haiti after the recent democratic elections in the Caribbean country.