[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     SUPPORT OF OUR TROOPS IN HAITI

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. KAREN SHEPHERD

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Ms. SHEPHERD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Dellums-
Murtha-Hastings-Dicks substitute to support our troops in Haiti. Now, I 
did not support a United States invasion in Haiti. I joined with 
Representative Skaggs and Representative Boehlert and 137 other Members 
of the House in sending a letter to President Clinton in July calling 
upon him to gain congressional approval before initiating an invasion 
of Haiti. I also joined 105 of you in cosponsoring House Concurrent 
Resolution 276, stating that ``the President is required to obtain 
prior approval of the Congress before United States Armed Forces may 
undertake offensive military action against the military leadership of 
Haiti.''
  Fortunately, the last-minute diplomatic initiative by former 
President Carter, former Joint Chief of Staff Colin Powell, and Senator 
Sam Nunn averted a bloody invasion, and for that I am deeply grateful. 
While I still have reservations about our Haiti policy, particularly 
about the wisdom of putting American troops at risk, I am cautiously 
optimistic about the course of events in Haiti. Our troops have 
fulfilled their mission with professionalism and compassion, and in the 
areas where United States troops are present, Haitians are once again 
able to express their political opinions without fear of death or 
torture. Our forces have dismantled the Haitian military's heavy 
weapons and have begun to collect guns from the Haitian policy and 
paramilitary groups, which will make it more difficult for 
antidemocratic forces to terrorize the population in the future.
  The United States does have a direct national interest in the outcome 
of the power struggle in Haiti. If the people of Haiti feel that their 
political and economic situation offers them no hope, they will flood 
the United States as refugees. It will be far better if we can help 
them arrive at a political solution which will restore democratic rule 
and give them a chance to rebuild their country. The gradual lifting of 
sanctions announced by President Clinton should help restore hope and 
create a viable economy in Haiti. Already, Haitian refugees are 
returning home from Guantanamo Bay.
  United States troops have now created the conditions to allow for the 
peaceful return of the democratic Government of Haiti. However, it 
looks as though an international presence will be needed in Haiti 
through the Presidential elections scheduled for September 1995. 
Therefore, I believe that we should push for a rapid transfer of 
responsibility to the United Nations. The urgent need now is for 
police, not combat troops, and the United Nations should be able to 
capably handle this mission.
  However, I oppose an arbitrary deadline for withdrawal from Haiti. 
Our Nation's top military leaders have been down here begging us not to 
tie their hands, to let them fulfill their mission. As long as those 
who would threaten both our troops and democracy in Haiti are not sure 
when United States troops will leave, we will retain an important 
psychological and military advantage. Setting a date certain only 
encourages the opponents of democracy to dig in and wait us out. We 
should not give them an advantage by letting them know our plans in 
advance. Support our troops and vote for the Dellums-Murtha substitute.

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