    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [March 21, 1995]
    [Pages 380-381]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Deployment of United States
    Armed Forces to Haiti
    March 21, 1995

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        On September 21, 1994, I reported to the Congress that on September
    19, 1994, U.S. forces under the command of the Commander in Chief, U.S.
    Atlantic Command, were introduced into Haitian territory following an
    agreement successfully concluded by former President Jimmy Carter,
    Senator Sam Nunn, and General Colin Powell and as part of the
    Multinational Force (MNF) provided for by United Nations Security
    Council Resolution (UNSCR) 940 of July 31, 1994. I am providing this
    update of events in Haiti (Operation ``Uphold Democracy'') consistent
    with the War Powers Resolution to ensure that the Congress is kept fully
    informed regarding events in Haiti.
        At their peak last September and into October, U.S. forces assigned
    to the MNF in Haiti numbered just over 20,000. Approximately 2,000 non-
    U.S. personnel from 27 nations also participated in the initial stages
    of the MNF. Over the last 6 months, U.S. forces gradually have been
    reduced, consistent with the establishment of a secure and stable
    environment called for by UNSCR 940, such that they currently number
    just under 5,300. Non-U.S. forces--both MNF and International Police
    Monitors (IPM)--currently number approximately 2,800. When the
    transition to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) authorized by
    UNSCR 975 of January 30, 1995, is complete on March 31, 1995,
    approximately 2,500 U.S. forces will remain in Haiti as the U.S.
    contribution to UNMIH's force structure. Following transition to UNMIH,
    non-U.S. forces will total approximately 3,500, for a total force of
    approximately 6,000. In addition, a U.N. civilian police monitor
    component of UNMIH will number approximately 900.
        In January, the United Nations Security Council determined that a
    secure and stable environment had been established in Haiti, based upon
    assessments from the MNF Commander and the U.N. Secretary General, and
    recommendations from the MNF Member States. As to the duration of the
    deployment, it is anticipated that the entire U.N. security mission,
    including U.S. forces, will withdraw from Haiti not later than February
    1996. Presidential elections are scheduled for November

    [[Page 381]]

    1995 and the inauguration will be held February 7, 1996.
        Overall, Haiti has remained calm and relatively incident-free since
    the deployment of U.S. and MNF forces. The level of political violence
    has decreased substantially since the departure of the de facto
    government. There is normal activity in the streets, and in stark
    contrast to when MNF forces first arrived, people are able to go outside
    at night due to a more secure environment. The number of weapons in
    Haiti also has been significantly reduced. Early in its deployment, the
    MNF took control of heavy and crew-served weapons belonging to the FAd'H
    (The Haitian Armed Forces). The MNF is also administering a weapons buy-
    back, seizure, and reduction program that has thus far yielded over
    33,000 weapons, including hand grenades.
        Thus far, there have been only five incidents involving attacks on
    or gunfire by U.S. forces. On September 24, 1994, a U.S. Marine Corps
    squad exchanged gunfire with members of the FAd'H at the police
    headquarters in Cap Haitien. One Marine was wounded, and ten Haitians
    were killed. On October 2, an unidentified individual fired shots over a
    wall in Les Cayes, wounding an American soldier. On October 14, a member
    of the FAd'H was wounded by U.S. Special Forces when he burst from his
    barricaded room and ran towards a U.S. soldier during a confrontation in
    Belladere. On December 26, U.S. forces came under fire during a
    demonstration by disgruntled former members of the FAd'H outside FAd'H
    General Headquarters. After receiving fire, the MNF fired on the
    Headquarters resulting in several Haitian, but no U.S. casualties.
    Finally, on January 12, 1995, a two-man Special Forces team was fired on
    at a toll booth south of Gonaives. One U.S. soldier was killed and
    another injured in the incident. The Haitian gunman was also killed.
        I have taken the measures described above to further the national
    security interests of the United States. I have ordered the continued
    deployment of U.S. forces to the MNF pursuant to my constitutional
    authority to conduct foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and
    Chief Executive.
        I remain committed to consulting closely with the Congress, and I
    will continue to keep the Congress fully informed regarding this
    important deployment of our forces.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the
    Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 22.