[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 131 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           OPPOSITION TO UNITED STATES FORCES BEING IN HAITI

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I am very pleased that our forces did 
not have to fight their way into Haiti, but I am still opposed to their 
being there. I do not mean to sound negative and I do not mean to be 
speaking in any way against U.S. troops, because I admire very much the 
way they are handling themselves. I disagree with the basic policy of 
having our soldiers in Haiti. Let me explain why.
  As an army lieutenant in Vietnam many years ago, I became convinced 
that these types of military operations in small countries can work 
against the United States and work against our interests. I doubt very 
seriously that we are going to succeed in installing democracy as we 
know it in Haiti.
  Also, I am very concerned about the taxpayers of the United States. 
There are so many commitments being made to build infrastructure in 
Haiti. I worry about our Indian reservations, our senior citizens, and 
others who are poor in this country. Indeed, in this city we have 22 
aggravated assaults or rapes per day and about 2 murders per day, which 
is a higher level of violence than in Haiti.
  I have not heard any plan of how we are going to get our troops out; 
how or when. I sincerely hope the administration has a plan to withdraw 
our troops.
  Unfortunately, as in Somalia, these operations drag on and on and 
they eventually turn sour. The first 2 months are going to be glorious. 
We are going to see our troops working side by side with Haitian troops 
and the Haitian people and those images are going to give us all a 
feel-good feeling. Then the reality will set in and we will realize, as 
we did in Somalia, that we are not accomplishing very much and we are 
placing our troops in increasingly dangerous situations.
  In other countries where we have conducted military operations, in 
Panama or elsewhere, we have found ourselves subject to lawsuits for 
many years thereafter. Every time one of our military vehicles goes 
over a road or a bridge, you can be sure that we are going to be sued 
in 4 or 5 years to rebuild that bridge or rebuild that road. The 
taxpayers of America will be quietly asked to pay for it.
  I believe what appears to be a very glorious adventure on day one 
will turn sour. I do not begrudge in any way my friend, President 
Carter, who did such a good job. I have traveled with him as an 
election observer. He did a good job of avoiding violence under the 
circumstances. With the President of the United States determined to 
invade, President Carter did an excellent job; so did our colleague, 
Senator Nunn; and Colin Powell also did an excellent job, in my 
judgment, under the circumstances.
  But that still does not change my basic opposition to having our 
troops in Haiti. I hope we get them out soon.
  I would also ask the administration to give us a cost estimate as to 
how much this is going to cost the American taxpayers, including the 
infrastructure we intend to build and the various other things being 
promised. The administration says they are going to need a supplemental 
appropriation to finance this adventure. Let us get some cost estimates 
so the American people know what these adventures cost.
  I speak not as one who is in any way critical of our military. I 
think they are doing an excellent job. I am critical of the basic 
decision. I am glad that it did not result in an invasion. I 
congratulate the President and the former President and their teams. I 
do hope and pray we have an exit strategy. I also hope we have a cost 
estimate in the next few days so the American people can see the price 
tag.

  I thank the Chair and I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair recognizes Senator 
Mitchell, the majority leader.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the period 
for morning business be extended for 15 minutes, that Senator Dorgan be 
recognized to address the Senate for up to 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Moseley-Braun). Without objection, it is 
so ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I appreciate the majority leader's 
courtesy. I reserved 15 minutes in morning business and was presiding 
during the hour, so I very much appreciate the opportunity to take the 
time now.
  I would be happy to yield to the Senator from Maine.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that my 
remarks appear in the Record so as not to interrupt the remarks of the 
Senator from North Dakota.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that upon the 
completion of the remarks of the Senator from North Dakota, the 
distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania be recognized to address the 
Senate for up to 10 minutes and that his remarks be in morning 
business, and that upon the completion of the remarks of the Senator 
from Pennsylvania, the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of 
the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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