[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 102 (Friday, July 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE IN HAITI: CONGRESSIONAL CONSUL- TATION AND 
                             AUTHORIZATION

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, on July 11, 1994, I wrote to National 
Security Adviser Anthony Lake concerning executive branch consultation 
with the Congress regarding the potential use of force in Haiti. 
Specifically, I urged the administration to consult closely with 
Congress on the use of force and to keep in mind the provisions of the 
War Powers Resolution requiring congressional authorization for a 
deployment in harm's way of U.S. forces for any period beyond sixty 
days.
  On July 28, 1994, I received a reply from National Security Adviser 
Lake. The text of the correspondence follows:
                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                    Washington, DC, July 11, 1994.
     Dr. Anthony Lake,
     Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Tony: I write with respect to the possibility that the 
     U.S. Armed Forces would be deployed for potential combat in 
     or around Haiti.
       It is my strong view that prior to making any decision to 
     so deploy U.S. forces, the President should consult closely 
     with the Congress. After such consultation, if the President 
     decides to proceed with this action, I would note that under 
     the War Powers Resolution, the Congress should authorize the 
     deployment of such forces for any period beyond sixty days. 
     As you know, Congress expressed its views on the importance 
     of both consultation and authorization with respect to Haiti 
     in Section 8147 of the Department of Defense Appropriations 
     Act of 1994.
       I would appreciate knowing what plans the Administration 
     has made to consult with the Congress on this matter.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____



                                              The White House,

                                        Washington, July 22, 1994.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Lee: Thank you for your recent letter asking about our 
     plans for consultations with Congress about the deployment of 
     U.S. forces to Haiti.
       As you know, the President's emphasis is on making the 
     sanctions effective in bringing about the departure of the 
     military leaders and the restoration of democracy. At the 
     same time, he has not excluded any option including use of 
     force that may be required to protect American interests 
     regarding Haiti.
       We are committed to ongoing and intensive consultations on 
     all aspects of our policy toward Haiti. Should the President 
     decide that use of force is required, we will consult with 
     Congress consistent with the provisions of the War Powers 
     Resolution and operational circumstances.
       The President and all of us very much appreciate the 
     support you have given us in the search for a solution to the 
     Haitian crisis which conforms to the principles on which 
     American foreign policy is founded and which protects the 
     many compelling interests we have in that country. We look 
     forward to continued collaboration in that effort.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Anthony Lake,

                                        Assistant to the President
     for National Security Affairs.

                          ____________________