[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
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]

 
                     HAITI COULD BECOME SOMALIA II

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, Bill Clinton believes he averted catastrophe 
by not having to invade Haiti. We need to remind Mr. Clinton that we 
did not have to shoot our way into Somalia either--but we did have to 
shoot our way out.
  Our military believed that an invasion of Haiti would be easy. Within 
7 to 10 days we would have effective control of the country. The thing 
that has always worried our military commanders was not the invasion, 
but the mission after the invasion.
  If we had invaded Haiti our mission would have been simple: Gain 
control of the Haitian Government and capture General Cedras. This is a 
clear, attainable goal. Mr. Speaker, now that the invasion was cut 
short, what is our mission in Haiti? Build a democracy? Feed the needy?
  Mr. Speaker, we need to pray for our soldiers in Haiti every day. 
They deserve our unequivocal, steadfast support. They have been given a 
mission which closely resembles the misguided and failed mission of 
nation-building which tragically took the lives of Americans in 
Somalia.

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