[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 24, 1992]
[Page 818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



White House Statement on Haitian Migrants

May 24, 1992
    President Bush has issued an Executive order which will permit the 
U.S. Coast Guard to begin returning Haitians picked up at sea directly 
to Haiti. This action follows a large surge in Haitian boat people 
seeking to enter the United States and is necessary to protect the lives 
of the Haitians, whose boats are not equipped for the 600-mile sea 
journey.
    The large number of Haitian migrants has led to a dangerous and 
unmanageable situation. Both the temporary processing facility at the 
U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo and the Coast Guard cutters on patrol are 
filled to capacity. The President's action will also allow continued 
orderly processing of more than 12,000 Haitians presently at Guantanamo.
    Through broadcasts on the Voice of America and public statements in 
the Haitian media, we continue to urge Haitians not to attempt the 
dangerous sea journey to the United States. Last week alone, 18 Haitians 
perished when their vessel capsized off the Cuban coast.
    Under current circumstances, the safety of Haitians is best assured 
by remaining in their country. We urge any Haitians who fear persecution 
to avail themselves of our refugee processing service at our Embassy in 
Port-au-Prince. The Embassy has been processing refugee claims since 
February. We utilize this special procedure in only four countries in 
the world. We are prepared to increase the American Embassy staff in 
Haiti for refugee processing if necessary.
    The United States Coast Guard has picked up over 34,000 since the 
coup in Haiti last September 30. Senior U.S. officials are seeking the 
assistance of other countries and the United Nations to help deal with 
the plight of Haitian boat people, and we will continue our intensive 
efforts to find alternative solutions to avoid further tragedies on the 
high seas.
    The President has also directed an intensification of our ongoing 
humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti. Our current programs total $47 
million and provide food for over 600,000 Haitians and health care 
services which reach nearly 2 million. We hope other nations will also 
increase their humanitarian assistance as called for in the resolution 
on Haiti passed by the OAS foreign ministers on May 17.

                    Note: The Executive order is listed in Appendix E at 
                        the end of this volume.