    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 16, 1994]
    [Pages 1562-1563]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Meeting of the Multinational Coalition on Haiti
    September 16, 1994

        President Aristide, Prime Minister Arthur, distinguished Prime
    Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Ambassadors,
    Charges, the Representative of the United Nations, my colleagues in the
    United States, I begin by saying a simple thank you. Thank you to all
    the nations here represented for joining an international coalition to
    restore democratic government to Haiti as called for by United Nations
    Security Council Resolution 940.
        Your presence here demonstrates that this international coalition is
    strong, diverse, and growing. We have countries from the Caribbean,
    countries from Latin America, countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and
    the Middle East, united in our insistence that the enemies of democracy
    who now terrorize Haiti leave and leave now and that democratically
    elected government be returned.
        And thank you, President Aristide, for your remarks, for your
    commitment to democracy and your commitment to reconciliation, for your
    commitment to the long, hard work of rebuilding your economy and your
    society, and for your commitment to the future of democracy as evidenced
    by your comments about the next election. I think your statement that in
    a democracy the most important election is always the second one may
    become a staple of civics books in our country and perhaps throughout
    the world.
        For 3 years, the international community has done everything it
    could think of to do to restore Haiti's democratic government
    peacefully, to end this brutal reign of terror in our hemisphere. We
    have tried everything. Often our envoys have been rebuffed. Often just a
    simple request for talk has been denied.
        On one occasion an agreement was reached here in the United States,
    where General Cedras came and actually signed the Governors Island
    Agreement, committing the military dictators to give up power in return
    for the spirit of reconciliation about which President Aristide spoke.
    When the day came for that plan to take effect, the coup leaders went
    back on their word and refused to leave. And all our efforts since have
    failed to budge them. As all of you know, the atrocities have only
    gotten worse. And recently, the leaders even refused to meet with the
    U.N. Special Envoy.
        We have an interest, obviously, in many things: the importance of
    spreading democracy;

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    the importance of dealing with the immigration problem about which
    President Aristide spoke; clearly, the importance of dealing with the
    horrible human rights violations; and also the importance in not
    allowing dictators to break their word to the international community,
    the United Nations, the Caribbean community, the Organization of the
    American States.
        As I look around this room, I am struck by the fact that our common
    goal is shared by nations not only here in the neighborhood we all share
    but in those well beyond our hemisphere, from all over the Earth. Some
    of the countries here represented have been struggling so hard with
    economic difficulties of their own. Some of the countries here
    represented have been struggling for decades for peace in their own
    region. Some of these countries here represented have only recently come
    to know their own freedom and democracy. And yet, you are all here in
    this international coalition because of the unusual and the terrible
    developments in Haiti.
        Our goals are clear, but they are limited. Once the military regime
    is removed from power, the coalition will then help the democratic
    government to establish basic security. It will begin the process of
    placing Haitian police under civilian control and monitoring them to
    ensure respect for human rights. This will enable the Haitian Government
    to provide the security necessary for international institutions and
    private institutions to resume the delivery of basic humanitarian
    assistance. Then, in months, not years, the coalition will pass the
    baton to the United Nations. The U.N. mission in Haiti will take over
    the peacekeeping effort and continue to professionalize Haiti's police
    and military. It will leave Haiti no later than 18 months from now,
    after the next elections are held and a new government takes office.
        Over time, all of us here, and the international financial
    institutions as well, will be involved in helping Haiti to recover, in
    providing Haiti with the economic and humanitarian and technical
    assistance that will be required to keep the country on the path of
    progress and democracy. But all of us realize, none more than President
    Aristide, that in the end, the job of rebuilding Haiti belongs to the
    Haitian people. I think they ask for nothing more than the opportunity
    to meet that challenge.
        And sir, I say again to you today, the spirit of reconciliation, the
    hand which you have reached out, even in this hour, to those who have
    taken democracy away, is critical to your success, and I applaud you for
    what you have said.
        Our international coalition goes to Haiti to give democracy a
    chance--we cannot guarantee it; to remove cruel and brutal dictators,
    but not to impose a future on Haiti. We cannot do that; that is for the
    Haitians to make themselves. But I hope and believe that what we are
    doing will not only be successful but will generate support from even
    more nations. I think as we go along, you will see more and more
    countries from all over the world coming to be a part of this. I invite
    them to do so.
        Together, we can help to ensure that the bright light of democracy
    once again burns in Haiti; that we have taken a stand that helps to
    restore human rights and end an almost unimaginable brutality; and that
    we will send a clear message that people who keep their word to the
    international community--who give their word--should keep it.
        Ladies and gentlemen, there are some more things which I believe we
    all need to discuss and certainly things which our coalition partners
    are entitled to know and questions they might want to ask. So I have
    asked the Chairman of our Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shalikashvili,
    to discuss in more detail the military and security aspects of our
    efforts.
        Let me say, if I might, to all of you, I appreciate the fact that
    you have given us your people to serve as a part of this effort. I know
    you appreciate the fact that in this world, dealing with difficulties,
    there is no such thing as a risk-free effort. But I will tell you that
    General Shalikashvili and the other leaders of our military have worked
    and planned and done everything they possibly could to maximize the
    chances of success and minimize the risks to your people and the risks
    to human life generally, consistent with the spirit outlined in
    President Aristide's remarks.
        With that, I leave you with General Shalikashvili and the Secretary
    of State. And I thank you all again very, very much. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:15 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House.