[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           THE HAITIAN CRISIS

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 1994

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to thank and commend 
former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Sam Nunn, and retired General 
Colin Powell for their mission to Haiti and the tremendous success of 
their negotiations. I am extremely grateful to them for avoiding a 
full-fledged invasion which I emphatically opposed.
  We never should have planned to invade Haiti. There are numerous 
trouble spots in the world and the United States simply cannot play the 
role of global cop. Not one valid reason exists to justify our 
interference in the affairs of this tiny Caribbean nation. They pose 
absolutely no threat to our Nation.
  I fear that we may come to regret our role in forceably returning 
President Aristide to power. Based on his history, I question both his 
stability and his commitment to human rights.
  I would like to state, however, that with the current situation as it 
is, I support our American troops and the efforts they will undertake 
in creating a stable environment for President Aristide's return. But 
let me remind my colleagues that we now have 15,000 American lives in 
harms way with no deadline for their return to safer soil. In addition, 
their presence in Haiti will be an enormous expense for the American 
people, most of whom do not support this initiative.
  I now call upon the President to let the American people know how 
long this endeavor will last. When will our soldiers return home? If 
the President will not set a deadline, then I call upon Congress to 
pass a resolution which will set one for him.
  Furthermore, hearings should be conducted. One, Congress needs a 
better understanding on how we almost came to the point of an invasion. 
Two, these hearings should provide a full account on the details of the 
agreement that President Carter, Senator Nunn, and General Powell 
reached with Lt. Gen. Cedras, Brig. Gen. Biamby, and Lt. Col. Francois. 
The October 15 deadline appears too lenient when dealing with men 
President Clinton once accused as being murderers, rapists, and overall 
thugs. And three, I want to know the full cost of this operation. With 
so many issues demanding our attention at home, we can ill-afford to 
occupy another country for an indefinite amount of time when there is 
no justifiable reason to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, again I would like to express my deep appreciation to 
President Carter, Senator Nunn, and General Powell for all their 
efforts in convincing Lt. Gen. Cedras and his cohorts to remove 
themselves from power and thus avoiding a U.S. invasion.

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