[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H539-H540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 HAITI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to ask the Bush administration 
why in the world our country appears to be allowing a violent coup 
d'etat to occur in Haiti. Through a wink and a nod, our administration 
is allowing this violence to occur, and we must not stand for it.
  The democratically elected President of Haiti could be overthrown any 
minute. At risk, of course, is the safety of over 8 million lives in 
Haiti. We cannot play politics with rebels and with thugs. They are 
trying to change their government through the use of force, not by 
democratic elections. We do not allow coups to take place in the United 
States, and we should uphold that standard for neighboring countries, 
neighboring democracies, especially one in our own hemisphere.
  Throughout Haiti's 200 years of independence, it has experienced 32 
coups, but it seemed that the tragic cycle ended in 1991 with President 
Aristide's first Presidential victory. After a coup, the United States 
helped restore then-exiled President Aristide in 1996, and later he ran 
and was reelected in the fall of 2001. Tonight as we speak, President 
Aristide is warding off yet another coup attempt and a potential civil 
war, and democracy is under fire again in Haiti.
  Two weeks ago now I wrote to Secretary Powell and asked the following 
questions:
  One: Does the State Department support the democratically elected 
Government of Haiti? What practical steps is our government taking to 
support the democratic process?
  Two: Is our country supporting and sanctioning an overthrow of the 
Aristide government by giving a wink and a nod to the opposition? There 
are also reports that we are covertly funding the opposition.
  Third: Is it true that the Haitian opposition parties and leaders 
have received USAID funding?
  Fourth: We understand the Haitian Government made several requests 
over the last 2 years for equipment and training of Haiti's police 
force. Why were these requests never responded to?
  Secretary Powell said, and I quote, ``We cannot allow thugs and 
murderers to overthrow the democratically elected government of 
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide,'' but now there appears to be a major 
disconnect between

[[Page H540]]

the Bush administration's words and actions. Their rhetoric says one 
thing, and their actions say something else.
  This Friday, prior to the international diplomatic team traveling to 
Haiti, members of the Congressional Black Caucus asked the 
administration to act immediately and prevent the rebels from taking 
over more cities in Haiti. We are awaiting a response to both of these 
letters.
  We are working to protect democracy in Haiti day and night, but 
unfortunately people in Haiti are still dying as a result of rebel 
attacks, hunger and the like. The ongoing negotiations to broker a 
peace plan are failing, and it is not at all a result of President 
Aristide. President Aristide has shown good faith by accepting the 
Catholic bishops' plan, the CARICOM plan and now this peace plan.
  Haiti is embroiled in violence. Armed rebels are burning down jails 
and pillaging villages, toting M-16s and M-50s. Haiti only has 3,500 
police for over 8 million people. It is only common sense that 
disarming thugs and murderers and forging a cease-fire go hand in hand.

                              {time}  2045

  The United States cannot sit back and watch a country especially in 
our own hemisphere spiral further down into a state of turmoil. Bush 
must show some leadership and speak out against the violence and the 
disregard for the rule of law in Haiti. President Bush should speak out 
in support of the democratically elected President of Haiti and provide 
President Aristide the assistance that he needs to promote peace on the 
ground, allow free and fair elections to take place, and to uphold the 
Haitian constitution.
  How can we sit back and witness a violent attempt to overthrow a 
government? Is this part of the Bush administration's regime change 
policy?
  Democracy in Haiti is in grave danger. Turmoil rages on the ground, 
in the streets, at the university, through the halls of government, and 
in the homes of Haitians. Haitians are dying, and it is apparent that 
the hope for peace is diminishing.
  If we believe, if we truly believe in the power of democracy and the 
potential for global peace, we must not turn a blind eye to our 
neighbor and long-time ally. This is an urgent cry to our 
administration, specifically President Bush, to formally request a 
meeting of the United States Security Council with the hope of bringing 
the world community's resources to bear in support of the government of 
Haiti.
  The United States must stop dragging its feet and answer the call 
President Aristide made again yesterday. He said, ``Should those 
killers come to Port-au-Prince, you may have thousands of people who 
may be killed.'' We need the presence of the international community as 
soon as possible.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, February 20, 2004.
     President George Bush,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: Thank you for your Administration's new 
     initiative to resolve the current political crisis in Haiti. 
     The Congressional Black Caucus agrees that we cannot allow 
     ``thugs'' and ``murderers'' to overthrow the democratically-
     elected government of President Jean Betrand Aristide, as 
     Secretary Powell stated on February 17, 2004. Additionally, 
     we are pleased that the United States, France, Canada, 
     CARICOM, and the OAS will meet with the Government of Haiti 
     to discuss how we can work together to secure the country, 
     stop the escalating violence, restore the rule of law, and 
     take steps forward to implement the CARICOM proposal.
       There must be an immediate cease-fire, and as these talks 
     move forward, we hope that the United States insists that all 
     parties lay down their arms and stop the violence. Haitians 
     are dying every day, and the United States must do its part 
     to guarantee a cease-fire, uphold democracy, and promote 
     stability in a sovereign nation in our own hemisphere. 
     Members of the Congressional Black Caucus agree that these 
     emergency talks will be critical to ending the current 
     violence.
       We respectfully encourage you to invite experienced, 
     independent observers to travel to Haiti to monitor and 
     observe the meeting. Thank you for your attention to this 
     urgent matter. We look forward to working with you to help 
     resolve this crisis.
           Sincerely,
         Barbara Lee; John Conyers, Jr.; Donald M. Payne; Bobby L. 
           Rush; Sheila Jackson-Lee; Elijah E. Cummings; Maxine 
           Waters; ------; Diane E. Watson; Gregory W. Meeks.
                                 ______
                                 
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, February 12, 2004.
     Hon. Colin Powell,
     Secretary of State,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for coming to the House 
     International Resources Committee today. While we ran out of 
     time before I could raise my questions in committee, I 
     enjoyed speaking to you afterwards.
       As you know, conditions in Haiti are rapidly deteriorating. 
     People are dying, and our own commitment to democracy is 
     under siege. We have a moral and regional obligation to help 
     one of our closest neighbors. Furthermore, Article 17 of the 
     OAS Inter-American Democratic Chapter requires that all OAS 
     nations come to the aid of a democratic government under 
     siege.
       I must say, Mr. Secretary, that our failure to support the 
     democratic process and help restore order looks like a covert 
     effort to overthrow a government. There is a violent coup 
     d'etat in the making, and it appears that the United States 
     is aiding and abetting the attempt to violently topple the 
     Aristide Government. With all due respect, this looks like 
     ``regime change.''
       This situation demands sustained U.S. engagement to promote 
     democracy, yet disturbing reports indicate our actions--or 
     inaction--may be making things worse. The opposition is well-
     funded and well-armed, even though President Aristide's pleas 
     for resources to better train police forces have fallen on 
     deaf ears. Yet, State Department officials have implied that 
     President Aristide's departure could be an option in solving 
     the current crisis. How can we call for democracy in Iraq and 
     not say very clearly that we support democratic elections as 
     the only option in Haiti?
       Since I did not have the opportunity to raise the following 
     questions in committee, I would appreciate it if you could 
     provide a written reply so that I might have a better 
     understanding of Administration policy toward Haiti:
       1. Does the State Department support the democratically-
     elected government of Haiti? What practical steps is our 
     government taking to support the democratic process?
       2. Is our country supporting and sanctioning an overthrow 
     of the Aristide Government by giving a wink and a nod to the 
     opposition? There are also reports that we are covertly 
     funding the opposition.
       3. Does the United States support the CARICOM proposal, and 
     will we work through the OAS to broker a peaceful solution, 
     not an overthrow of the Aristide Government?
       4. Is it true that Haitian opposition parties and leaders 
     have received USAID funding?
       5. We understand the Haitian government made several 
     requests over the last two years for equipment and training 
     of Haiti's police force. Why were these requests never 
     responded to?
           Thank you for your attention,
                                                      Barbara Lee,
     Member of Congress.

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