[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       URGING U.S. TO MOVE FORWARD IN PROVIDING SECURITY IN HAITI

  (Mr. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Bush 
administration to move forward in providing the kind of security that 
we need in Haiti right now. On average, every day in Haiti, 15 to 16 
Haitian nationals are losing their lives due to rebel forces and anti-
Aristide forces.
  I will tell my colleagues right now that the violence will continue 
to escalate. The rebels are getting more and more arms. They are 
getting body armor, they are getting helmets, they are getting all of 
the things that they need to continue to carry on the nightmare in 
Haiti.
  I want to say to the U.S. citizens here tonight, standing by will not 
make things better in Haiti. Being from Florida and being from Miami, 
Florida, there is going to be a number of individuals coming to our 
shores if we do not stand in and intervene now. It is important that 
the U.S. moves forth with France and Canada, who are willing to bring 
about peace in Haiti, so that we can have diplomatic talks with the 
opposition forces.
  The reason why there was not an agreement today at 5 o'clock is 
because there is no agreement to be made. The rebels cannot be 
controlled by opposition parties right now, and it is important that 
this administration acts now before military action will be paramount.

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