[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       HAITI AND THE CAPUTO MEMO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Weldon] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WELDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening with a great deal of 
concern as a member of the Armed Services Committee for the past 8 
years about the rumors that are circulating rampantly on the Hill 
regarding this President's alleged intentions to involve this country 
in a military action in Haiti within a matter of the next several 
weeks, or perhaps even in a shorter period of time.
  My concern stems from the fact that as a member of this Armed 
Services Committee who takes his position very seriously that we not 
engage ourselves in a situation like we saw last September where we had 
a big White House ceremony on the lawn in terms of bringing our troops 
back home from Somalia, but left 4,500 troops unprepared for what they 
would face in that country. In September of last year, the only time 
during the 8 years I have been here, we found out political 
considerations were used to deny a request by a senior military 
official to have appropriate backup support in Somalia to protect our 
troops. In other words, a political consideration was made involving 
our military troops.
  The rumors circulating on the Hill are along the line that the 
President is considering another military operation for political 
purposes. That would be outrageous.
  I point to a special confidential memo from Dante Caputo dated May 
23. Dante Caputo is the Special Envoy to Haiti, the U.N. Special Envoy. 
This was leaked to the press. The document suggests that the current 
economic sanctions against Haiti are not intended or expected to 
dislodge the Haitian military rulers, but instead the sanctions are to 
serve as a diplomatic cover for the real objective, which is an armed 
military invasion to take place before the November election.
  Caputo explains that the United States intends to leave 1 month after 
the invasion, to pass the torch to the United Nations.
  He further explains that the only thing holding back Clinton's 
invasion is whether the United States can find countries to mount a 
multinational operation after United States forces exit Haiti.
  This really tears me apart, this next point. In his memo, Dante 
Caputo, U.S. Special Envoy to Haiti, said the reason behind the 
invasion is to demonstrate ``* * * The President's decisionmaking 
capability and the firmness of leadership in international political 
matters.''
  Is that why we are going to Haiti? Is this President so concerned 
with his polls that he is going to send American troops in? I can 
guarantee you, Mr. Speaker, if this President causes us to shed one 
drop of American blood for a political purpose, there will be a war, 
but it will not be in Haiti. It will be inside of the beltway.
  During a meeting between Mr. Caputo and Secretary General Boutros 
Ghali, Mr. Caputo is cited as saying, ``The Americans will not be able 
to wait much longer than August at the latest to invade. They want to 
do something; they are going to try to intervene militarily.''
  Notes from that same meeting explained that ``Mr. Caputo predicts a 
disaster. That the United States will make the United Nations bear the 
responsibility to manage the occupation of Haiti.''
  The notes of the meeting further convey Mr. Caputo's belief that 
``with Aristide as President during 2 or 3 years, it will be hell.''
  Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the U.S.S. Mount Whitney, a 2d Fleet command 
ship, left for Haiti. Its primary function is that of an amphibious 
command and control center for major operations.
  Mr. Speaker, let me put my colleagues on notice and the American 
people on notice. This President and this Commander in Chief had better 
be able to justify whatever action he takes in regard to Haiti, and if 
he cannot do that, he is going to have to pay hell with Members of this 
body, and I will be leading the attack.

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