[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD HAITI

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise to express my support for this 
resolution. I believe it provides responsible, thoughtful policy 
guidance to the administration, and effectively signals congressional 
authorization for the U.S. military effort there.
  I have said consistently that I believe the administration should 
have sought prior congressional authorization for military action in 
Haiti. I believe President Clinton made a mistake in not seeking such 
an authorization, and that Federal law and the Constitution require it. 
This resolution notes that the President should have sought and 
welcomed congressional approval before deploying United States forces 
in Haiti. That is true. But now that we are there, and have made a firm 
commitment to restore President Aristide to power, we must support our 
congress and professional troops in this historic effort.
  I believe the detailed report required of the administration 
regarding the mission and rules of engagement of our troops, and the 
human rights situation there, along with an analysis of aid being 
provided to Haiti by the United States and other western donors, will 
help us in setting standards for postregime United States policy there. 
The human rights and security situation must be monitored carefully 
during the frustration, and requiring that these reports be made will 
help us enormously in that effort.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

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