[House Document 104-50]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





                                     

        104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-50


 
       UPDATE OF EVENTS IN HAITI (OPERATION ``UPHOLD DEMOCRACY'')

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

     AN UPDATE OF EVENTS IN HAITI (OPERATION ``UPHOLD DEMOCRACY'') 
 CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION TO ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS 
            IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED REGARDING EVENTS IN HAITI


 

 March 22, 1995.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                        Washington, March 21, 1995.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On September 21, 1994, I reported to the 
Congress that on September 19, 1994, U.S. forces under the 
command of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command, were 
introduced into Haitian territory following an agreement 
successfully concluded by former President Jimmy Carter, 
Senator Sam Nunn, and General Colin Powell and as part of the 
Multinational Force (MNF) provided for by United Nations 
Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 940 of July 31, 1994. I am 
providing this update of events in Haiti (Operation ``Uphold 
Democracy'') consistent with the War Powers Resolution to 
ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed regarding 
events in Haiti.
    At their peak last September and into October, U.S. forces 
assigned to the MNF in Haiti numbered just over 20,000. 
Approximately 2,000 non-U.S. personnel from 27 nations also 
participated in the initial stages of the MNF. Over the last 6 
months, U.S. forces gradually have been reduced, consistent 
with the establishment of a secure and stable environment 
called for by UNSCR 940, such that they currently number just 
under 5,300. Non-U.S. forces--both MNF and International Police 
Monitors (IPM)--currently number approximately 2,800. When the 
transition to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) 
authorized by UNSCR 975 of January 30, 1995, is complete on 
March 31, 1995, approximately 2,500 U.S. forces will remain in 
Haiti as the U.S. contribution to UNMIH's force structure. 
Following transition to UNMIH, non-U.S. forces will total 
approximately 3,500, for a total force of approximately 6,000. 
In addition, a U.N. civilian police monitor component to UNMIH 
will number approximately 900.
    In January, the United Nations Security Council determined 
that a secure and stable environment had been established in 
Haiti, based upon assessments from the MNF Commander and the 
U.N. Secretary General, and recommendations from the MNF Member 
States. As to the duration of the deployment, it is anticipated 
that the entire U.N. security mission, including U.S. forces, 
will withdraw from Haiti not later than February 1996. 
Presidential elections are scheduled for November 1995 and the 
inauguration will be held February 7, 1996.
    Overall, Haiti has remained calm and relatively incident-
free since the deployment of U.S. and MNF forces. The level of 
political violence has decreased substantially since the 
departure of the de facto government. There is normal activity 
in the streets, and in stark contrast to when MNF forces first 
arrived, people are able to go outside at night due to a more 
secure environment. The number of weapons in Haiti also has 
been significantly reduced. Early in its deployment, the NMF 
took control of heavy and crew-served weapons belonging to the 
FAd'H (The Haitian Armed Forces). The MNF is also administering 
a weapons buy-back, seizure, and reduction program that has 
thus far yielded over 33,000 weapons, including hand grenades.
    Thus far, there have been only five incidents involving 
attacks on or gunfire by U.S. forces. On September 24, 1994, a 
U.S. Marine Corps squad exchanged gunfire with members of the 
FAd'H at the police headquarters in Cap Haitien. One Marine was 
wounded, and ten Haitians were killed. On October 2, an 
unidentified individual fired shots over a wall in Les Cayes, 
wounding an American soldier. On October 14, a member of the 
FAd'H was wounded by U.S. Special Forces when he burst from his 
barricaded room and ran towards a U.S. soldier during a 
confrontation in Belladere. On December 26, U.S. forces came 
under fire during a demonstration by disgruntled former members 
of the FAd'H outside FAd'H General Headquarters. After 
receiving fire, the MNF fired on the Headquarters resulting in 
several Haitian, but no U.S. casualties. Finally, on January 
12, 1995, a two-man Special Forces team was fired on at a toll 
booth south of Gonaives. One U.S. soldier was killed and 
another injured in the incident. The Haitian gunman was also 
killed.
    I have taken the measures described above to further the 
national security interests of the United States. I have 
ordered the continued deployment of U.S. forces to the MNF 
pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct foreign 
relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
    I remain committed to consulting closely with the Congress, 
and I will continue to keep the Congress fully informed 
regarding this important deployment of our forces.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.