Hti: Aristide paid through the nose for nothing

Here's how Haiti and several other governments spent money on U.S. lobbyists and legal help during the first six months of 2003, the most recent reporting period:

-- Haiti ($945,227): Legal representation, plus lobbying government officials, diplomats and the media, seeking the resumption of U.S. and multinational aid.

-- El Salvador ($746,228): Promoting investment, lobbying on trade and immigration issues.

-- Honduras ($249,090): Lobbying for the Central American Free Trade Agreement and on trade and immigration issues.

-- Dominican Republic ($172,509): Lobbying on sugar quota and trade issues.

-- Brazil ($259,895): For legal advice.

-- Chile ($27,942): For legal advice and work on the U.S.-Chile trade pact.