[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 191 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17880-S17881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BOSNIA AND HAITI

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, we are now debating in this country the 
question of deployment of United States troops to Bosnia. As we engage 
in that discussion this week, I think it would be appropriate if we 
take a moment to go back and talk about the last major U.S. deployment 
of troops in a trouble spot situation. Of course, I am talking about 
Haiti.
  Today, Mr. President, there are approximately 2,500 United States 
troops in Haiti, down from a much higher figure previously. These 
troops, Mr. President, were deployed in the interest of the future of 
peace and democracy in Haiti. It is vitally important to Haitian 
democracy that there be an orderly transfer of power in Haiti in the 
coming weeks.
  On December 17 of this year--in just a few days--elections are 
scheduled to take place. These elections on December 17 are to be 
followed, on February 7, by the swearing in of a new President of 
Haiti. Mr. President, all over the world the orderly transition of 
power is considered the true hallmark of democracy.
  This orderly, routine transfer of power is what separates true 
democracy from pseudodemocracy. It is what separates the democratic 
countries in the world from other countries. And there is no truer test 
of a democracy than its ability routinely to carry out this awesome 
transfer of power.
  Mr. President, in the past, President Aristide has indicated that he 
understands this and that he understands the importance of this. In 
fact, on May 29 of this year, Senator Specter and I met with President 
Aristide at the White House in Haiti. We asked him at that time in a 
fairly lengthy conversation if he can envision any circumstances under 
which he would retain power. His answer was an unequivocal no. Senator 
Specter asked him again, could he envision any circumstances that he 
would retain power, stay in office. His answer, no.
  Then I asked President Aristide, ``Mr. President, many of your 
supporters may urge you to stay on, they may appeal to your patriotism, 
they may tell you that you are the only one who can carry out the 
duties of the Presidency, that your country needs you. How will you be 
able to resist those comments? How will you be able to resist those 
pleas?''
  President Aristide's answer was very simple. He said, ``Senator, I 
have no choice. The Constitution takes precedence over the wishes of my 
supporters.''
  Over the last couple of weeks, there has been some confusion about 
whether President Aristide will leave office. There has been some 
indication that he might not step down as scheduled. His views on this 
matter appear to be a moving target. The most recent accounts over the 
weekend, last Friday specifically, are that he said that he will step 
down after all and that he was really misunderstood in the comments 
that he made a few days prior to that.
  Mr. President, it is vitally important that President Aristide does, 
in fact, step down, that he follows his Constitution, the Constitution 
of Haiti.
  I cannot emphasize enough the vital importance of President 
Aristide's routine departure from office. Last year, the United States 
went to the brink of a full-scale invasion in support of constitutional 
democracy in Haiti. We want and the Haitian people want a strong and 
stable democracy in Haiti. To achieve that, there has to be an orderly 
transfer of power. The Haitian people deserve it.
  Earlier in this century, William Faulkner described Haiti as 
``homeless and desperate on the lonely ocean, a little lost island'' 
that had suffered ``200 years of oppression and exploitation.'' 

[[Page S 17881]]

  Faulkner's words could have just as well have been uttered last year, 
with the addition of several decades. The people of Haiti deserve hope. 
They need to know that the world shares their aspiration to be a full 
member of the community of nations. They have waited a long time. They 
have waited long enough.
  I believe it is important that all of us--this country, other 
countries of the world--put President Aristide on notice that to flirt 
with the idea of clinging to power in violation of his country's 
Constitution would be to risk a huge step backward for the Haitian 
people. It is long past time to break the cycle of oppression in Haiti. 
The routine, orderly departure from office of President Aristide will 
be a major step in that direction.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Grassley). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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