[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 134 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY VITAL TO FUTURE OF HAITI AND AMERICA

  (Ms. McKINNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, it is not often that the United States 
intervenes on the side of the poor and oppressed. Those innocent 
Haitians who greeted arriving United States troops have been robbed of 
everything they possess, except their hope for the future and their 
faith in our country. No wonder the gridlock gang is at it again--
criticizing this administration's policy because in the past we always 
seem to have supported the rich, the powerful, and the greedy.

  Operation uphold democracy must also restore hope to the democratic 
aspirations of the Haitian people. The military dictators must not 
remain in power past October 15. President Aristide--a man of peace and 
reconciliation--is key to Haiti's survival.
  Our role in Haiti must be clear--clear to our troops, clear to the 
Haitian people, and clear to the American people. Disarming the police, 
the armed forces, and the paramilitary forces must be our first 
priority.
  Operation uphold democracy is vital to Haiti's future and to our own. 
However, there are concerns. Concerns that the recent agreement is 
signed by a President we do not recognize and seeks cooperation with 
military leaders we cannot trust. We must assure the Haitian people and 
the would-be dictators of tomorrow that we will act decisively on 
behalf of democracy, and that we will see this operation through.

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