[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[April 20, 1994]
[Pages 736-737]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Embargo on Haiti
April 20, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Mr. President:)
    Six months ago I provided you with my initial report on the 
deployment of U.S. Naval Forces in the implementation of the petroleum 
and arms embargo of Haiti. I am now providing this further report, 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution, to inform the Congress about 
the status of the U.S. contribution to the ongoing U.N. embargo 
enforcement effort.
    In response to the continued obstruction by the military authorities 
of Haiti to the dispatch of the U.N. Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) and their 
failure to comply with the Governors Island Agreement, the United 
Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 875 (October 16, 1993). This 
resolution called upon Member States ``to use such measures commensurate 
with the specific circumstances as may be necessary'' to ensure strict 
implementation of the Haitian embargo on petroleum and arms and related 
material imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 841 and 
873 (1993). Under U.S. command and control, and acting in concert with 
allied navies and in cooperation with the legitimate Government of 
Haiti, U.S. Naval Forces began maritime interception operations on 
October 18, 1993, in order to ensure compliance with the embargo terms.
    Since that time, U.S. Naval Forces have continued enforcement 
operations in the waters around Haiti, including at times in the 
territorial sea of that country. The Haiti maritime interception 
operations generally have employed up to six U.S. surface naval 
combatants serving on station in the approaches to Haitian ports. The 
maritime interception force has been comprised of naval units and 
supporting elements from the United States, Argentina, Canada, France, 
The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

[[Page 737]]

    The objective of these maritime interception operations is to ensure 
that merchant vessels proceeding to Haiti are in compliance with United 
Nations Security Council sanctions. The enforcement operations have been 
conducted in a thorough and safe manner. As of April 18, 1994, more than 
6,000 vessels had been queried, 712 boarded, and 44 diverted to other 
than Haitian ports due to suspected violations or cargo that was 
inaccessible to inspection. These operations have been generally 
effective in preventing the sale or supply of embargoed items through 
sea trade and have specifically deterred tanker shipments of petroleum 
products, as one important aspect of the Haitian embargo enforcement 
effort. There have been no U.S. personnel casualties during the conduct 
of these operations.
    The valuable U.S. contribution to U.N. embargo enforcement 
operations is important to U.S. goals and interests in the region and, 
fundamentally, to the restoration of democracy in Haiti. I am not able 
to indicate at this time how long the deployment of U.S. Naval Forces in 
this multilateral operation will be necessary. I have continued the 
deployment of U.S. Armed Forces for these purposes pursuant to my 
constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and as Commander 
in Chief.
    I appreciate the support the Congress has provided for this 
important U.S. contribution to multilateral efforts to restore democracy 
to Haiti, and I look forward to continued cooperation with you in these 
matters.
    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate. An original was not available for verification of the 
content of this letter.