[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 21, 1994]



                                 HAITI

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I will simply make a statement in regard 
to what Senator DeConcini had to say. I am not going to take exception 
to anything he said. But he did say that the debate maybe has become 
very political. As one Republican who has spoken out against the 
President's actions in Haiti, I think I have some credentials to speak 
and have those remarks reviewed as nonpolitical, because in January 
1991, when this body debated giving President Bush permission to use 
military action in the Persian Gulf war, I was one of only two 
Republicans who opposed President Bush's action because I felt that 
other processes should be used. I was opposing a Republican President, 
and I am a Republican.
  I have stated that military troops in Haiti should be used when 
American life is in danger or when the national security interests of 
our country are at stake. The military should be used as a last resort, 
and for those reasons. I do not think Haiti is a threat to the national 
security of our country. And because Haiti is not a threat to the 
national security of our country, I do not think Haiti, from that 
standpoint--not the Haitian people--is worth one drop of American 
blood.
  I feel that there is a chance, even under the more peaceful 
conditions under which our people have gone into Haiti, in a less 
militaristic environment--still in those conditions--there is threat to 
American life. I think we should be very cautious when we put our 
American troops in such a situation.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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