[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNDER THE HEADING: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
(Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, since I spoke about Haiti at morning business
early today, I have seen still more evidence to suggest that there is a
de facto strong man regime being run in Haiti by former President
Aristide, one that functions contrary to and does damage to the
embryonic democratic process the United States is supporting there with
so many United States tax dollars and so much of our credibility.
International observers and Haitian political parties alike say that
the April 6 elections were fraudulent. They were rigged in favor of
Aristide, a man who today is sabotaging the economic reform process
that is so desperately needed in Haiti, the poorest nation in this
hemisphere. Worse still is the fact that all the candidates who are not
of Aristide's Famille Lavalas Party are boycotting this Sunday's
elections because they are based on a flawed process, as well.
Mr. Speaker, I ask, where are those colleagues today, those champions
of Aristide who rallied at the White House to support him when he was
President-in-exile? Will they be around to support democracy in Haiti,
which is what this is about, rather than restoring a strong man?
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