[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
[October 25, 1994]
[Pages 1897-1898]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing Legislation Regarding United States Policy Toward 
Haiti
October 25, 1994

    Today I have signed into law S.J. Res. 229, ``Regarding United 
States policy toward Haiti.''
    In signing this joint resolution, it is important to clarify the 
interpretation of a provision related to the President's authority and 
responsibility as Commander in Chief.
    Section 2 of the resolution calls, inter alia, for a detailed 
description of ``the general rules of engagement under which operations 
of the United States Armed Forces are conducted in and around Haiti.'' I 
interpret this language as seeking only information about the rules of 
engagement that I may supply consistent with my constitutional 
responsibilities, and not information of a sensitive operational nature.
    Let me take this opportunity to associate myself unreservedly with 
the joint resolution's commendation of the professional excellence and 
dedicated patriotism with which the men and

[[Page 1898]]

women of the U.S. Armed Forces are performing their mission in Haiti.
    The combination of determined diplomacy and military resolve 
achieved, just 1 month ago, an agreement that permitted the peaceful 
deployment of U.S. and multinational forces to Haiti pursuant to the 
provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 940. And on 
October 15, culminating 3 years of international efforts led by the 
United States, Haiti's democratically elected President, Jean-Bertrand 
Aristide, stood on the steps of the Presidential Palace in Port-au-
Prince and addressed tens of thousand of his countrymen and women in an 
atmosphere of joy, reconciliation, and rebuilding.
    That historic achievement capped a breathtaking month of democratic 
restoration and the beginnings of Haiti's economic recovery, all made 
possible by the dedicated efforts of our service men and women in Haiti. 
The Haitian people no longer live in fear; they now have hope. The coup 
leaders are gone from Haiti and the thugs are no longer in control. 
Haiti's parliament is open. It has enacted an amnesty law and is busy 
laying the legislative groundwork for stronger democratic institutions. 
The Mayor of Port-au-Prince has been restored to office after 3 years of 
internal exile, the legitimate Prime Minister and Cabinet have reclaimed 
their offices, and the state media are back at the service of the 
people. The lights are on again in Cap-Haitian after 2 years of darkness 
as electrical service is expanded throughout the country. With the 
lifting of all U.S. and international sanctions upon President 
Aristide's return to Haiti, commercial fuel and food shipments and 
airline service have resumed.
    The full restoration of democracy opens a period of hope for the 
Haitian people. Only they can reconcile their country. As the 
international community supports them with a major program of economic 
assistance, our military personnel participating in the multinational 
force will maintain the climate of basic security in which those goals 
can be achieved. Through police monitors and trainers, the multinational 
force will lay the groundwork for the transition of the Haitian army to 
a professional defense force and for the creation of a civilian police 
force.
    We expect that within months, the bulk of our military personnel 
will leave Haiti. The multinational coalition will transfer 
responsibility to the United Nations Mission in Haiti in accordance with 
United Nations Security Council Resolution 940. Our forces' 
accomplishments in the last month have been superb. I am confident they 
will maintain their outstanding record and leave a Haiti poised to 
consolidate its hard-won democracy, create a brighter future for all its 
people, and become a factor for stability in the region and hemisphere.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,
October 25, 1994.

Note: S.J. Res. 229, approved October 25, was assigned Public Law No. 
103-423. This statement was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 28.