[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            MORE SETBACKS FOR UNITED STATES POLICY IN HAITI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss] is recognized 
during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, it is shaping up to be another bad week for 
United States policy in Haiti. The United Nations has granted the 
President's wish for a tougher embargo should the military leadership 
not step down by May 21. The clock is ticking--the pressure is 
building.
  In usual form, the junta responded by throwing the threats back in 
the faces of White House policymakers; instead of turning over power, 
the military leaders appointed a new President--never mind that the 
duly elected President of Haiti they overthrew received 67 percent of 
the popular vote.
  The State Department announced yesterday that regrettably, the 
Haitian refugee numbers are up. In fact, the Coast Guard has 
repatriated 586 Haitians since Friday--a weekend high not reached since 
1992, a direct result of White House policies announced over a week 
ago.
  Regrettably the predictions have come true. These sanctions are 
victimizing the very poorest in Haiti, forcing them into the sea to go 
into processing centers that do not exist.
  The Coast Guard had no choice but to return the Haitians to Port-au-
Prince. No third country has stepped forward to offer refuge. No 
processing centers have been set up on ships or elsewhere to deal wire 
asylum claims. The Coast Guard on the scene has no orders to implement 
a shipboard processing policy the President recently announced.
  Now we learn that the Pentagon has leased, at a cost of $34,000 a 
day, a Ukrainian cruise ship to serve as a processing center anchored 
nobody knows where.
  If this three-ring policy circus did not have the potential to cause 
such damage and human misery it would be laughable. However, there is 
more than just the loss of American face at home and abroad to contend 
with. The President and his advisors have put this Nation on the 
slippery slope toward military intervention in Haiti--with a built-in 
crisis trigger at the May 21 deadline. I do not think any Member of 
Congress wants to have to explain to Americans why their loved ones are 
being sent to Haiti where their lives are at risk for an unclear 
mission with no clear-cut end-game strategy.
  I have repeatedly offered the administration an alternative approach 
to the current stalemate in Haiti--a safe haven proposal designed to 
restore the rightful President to Haitian soil, to give refuge to 
Haitians fleeing political persecution, to facilitate the humanitarian 
aid process so desperately needed, and to allow for orderly visa 
processing in a safer environment.
  All of this can be accomplished on Haitian soil on the 80-square-mile 
island of Gonave which lies 15 miles across the bay from Port-au-
Prince. With one Coast Guard cutter the United States would be able to 
assist the international community in enhancing the natural defenses of 
the island without extensive or imprudent military commitment. With 
only 15 miles to travel, Haitian refugees would not have to risk life 
and limb in a 900-mile journey across the Straits of Florida.
  It is all there: We solve the refugee problem, the Aristide problem, 
and keep American soldiers out of harm's way.
  This week, as we consider the national defense authorization, I will 
offer two amendments dealing with Haiti. The first would cut off any 
DOD funding for the processing of refugee claims on the high seas. The 
President's proposal--which still lacks the details for 
implementation--is simply a bad idea and, as the reports already 
indicate, will only encourage more Haitians to risk their lives on the 
high seas.
  In addition, I will offer an amendment supporting a safe haven on the 
island of Gonave.
  Let me conclude by taking a moment to remind my colleagues what 
happened in Haiti in 1991. As an official observer for the 1991 
Presidential elections, I watched the Haitian people take the most 
important step they have taken in the 200 tumultuous years since 
indpendence--the first faltering step toward democracy. In September 
1991, this progress was halted by the military junta that ousted a 
President 67 percent of the Haitian people enthustically voted for. 
Today, we have the opportunity to help the Haitians recapture the 
spirit of the 1991 election. We cannot do it at the barrel of a gun. 
But, by encouraging return of their democratically elected President, 
by making it safe for them to stay on Haitian soil, by encouraging 
Haitians to work with Haitians to solve Haiti's problems in Haiti we 
might actually help them build elusive stability and democracy in their 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, it does not have to be another bad week for United 
States policy in Haiti. We offer a good republican ``safe haven'' 
solution on behalf of America and on behalf of Haiti and on behalf of 
democracy.

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