[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.