[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            TRUTH COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation calling on the 
Administration to expose and explain their involvement in Haiti's 33rd 
coup d'etat.
  My legislation will create a TRUTH Commission, which stands for The 
Responsibility for Uncovering the TRUTH about Haiti. This independent 
commission will be bipartisan and work to uncover the Bush 
administration's role in Haiti prior to President Aristide's exile.
  I believe the Bush administration undercut the potential for a 
diplomatic solution for peaceful democratic elections, any potential 
for a cease-fire and an end to violence.
  It bears primary responsibility therefore, for Aristide's unwilling 
departure as well as for the sacrifice of the democratic process in 
Haiti.
  As Members of Congress find out more about the events leading up to 
President Aristide's departure, the twilight activities of his alleged 
resignation, the current unconstitutional government, and the ongoing 
turmoil, fear, and misinformation that is still flowing out of Haiti.
  We want answers, Mr. Speaker and an independent commission is one of 
many tools that we intend on exercising.
  I have several pressing questions that I hope this commission will 
find the answers for:
  1. Did the U.S. Government impede democracy and contribute to the 
overthrow of the Aristide government?
  2. Under what circumstances did President Jean-Bertrand Aristide 
resign and what was the role of the United States Government in 
bringing about his departure?
  3. To what extent did the U.S. impede efforts by the international 
community, particularly the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, countries, to 
prevent the overthrow of the democratically-elected Government of 
Haiti?
  4. What was the role of the United States in influencing decisions 
regarding Haiti at the United Nations Security Council and in 
discussions between Haiti and other countries that were willing to 
assist in the preservation of the democratically-elected Government of 
Haiti by sending security forces to Haiti?
  5. Was U.S. assistance provided or were U.S. personnel involved in 
supporting, directly or indirectly, the forces and opposed to the 
government of President Aristide? Was United States bilateral 
assistance channeled through nongovernmental organizations that were 
directly or indirectly associated with political groups actively 
involved in fomenting hostilities or violence toward the government of 
President Aristide?
  6. Was any U.S. bilateral assistance channeled through non-
governmental organizations that were directly or indirectly involved in 
fuming hostilities or violence toward the Aristide government?
  And there are more questions about the long-term origins of Haiti's 
current crisis and the long-term impact on the region as a result of 
the administration's policies.
  This was regime change by other means.
  We do not teach people to violently overthrow our U.S. Government, 
and we must not teach other people in the international community, 
particularly Haiti, to participate in activities that taint the hope 
for democracy by use of violence.
  I stand here today because the Haitian community stands for democracy 
and not for political maneuvering by the Bush administration.
  This is an issue of democracy.
  The United States must stand firm in its support of democracy and not 
allow a nascent democracy like Haiti, fall victim to regime change and 
an international ``racist'' foreign policy.
  I commend all of my colleagues to join in support of this commission 
and ask for its timely passage.




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