[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 14 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Pages 523-524]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the United Nations Transition Ceremony in Port-au-Prince

March 31, 1995

    Mr. Secretary-General, President Aristide, members of the 
multinational force in Haiti, members of the United Nations mission in 
Haiti: We gather to celebrate the triumph of freedom over fear. And we 
are here to look ahead to the next steps that we will take together to 
help the people of Haiti strengthen their hard-won democracy.
    Six months ago, a 30-nation multinational force, led by the United 
States, entered Haiti with a clear mission: To ensure the departure of 
the military regime, to restore the freely elected government of Haiti, 
and to establish a secure and stable environment in which the people of 
Haiti could begin to rebuild their country. Today, that mission has been 
accomplished, on schedule and with remarkable success.
    On behalf of the United States, I thank all the members of the 
multinational force for their outstanding work, and pledge our support 
for the United Nations mission in Haiti.
    Over the past 6 months, the multinational force has proved that a 
shared burden makes for a lighter load. Working together, 30 nations 
from around the world--from the Caribbean to Australia, from Bangladesh 
to Jordan--demonstrated the effectiveness and the benefits of 
international peacekeeping. And they helped give the people of Haiti a 
second chance at democracy.
    The multinational force ensured the peaceful transition from the 
military regime to President Aristide. It removed more than 30,000 
weapons and explosive devices from the streets. Through the 
international police monitors, led by Commissioner Ray Kelly, it trained 
and monitored an interim police force and worked side by side with them 
throughout Haiti. And it helped to prepare a permanent civilian police 
force that will maintain security and respect for human rights in the 
months and years ahead.
    Let me say to the members of the new, permanent police force who are 
with us here today, you are the guardians of Haiti's new democracy. Its 
future rests on your shoulders. Uphold the constitution. Respect 
democracy and human rights. Defend them. That is your sacred mission and 
your solemn obligation.
    Now it is the United Nations mission's task to secure and stabilize 
the environment in Haiti and to help the government prepare for free and 
fair elections. The mission, with participants from 33 countries, has 
the tools it needs to succeed: a 6,000-strong military force under the 
command of United States Army General Joseph Kinzer; a 900-member 
international police force, led by Chief Superintendent Neil Pouliot of 
Canada; and dozens of well-trained economic, political, and legal 
advisers.
    The United Nations mission will end its work here in February 1996, 
after the election and inauguration of a new President. To all of you 
taking part in the U.N. mission, I know many challenges lie between here 
and there. Your work will be demanding and difficult. But the 
multinational force has set a strong foundation of success upon which to 
build.
    Most important of all, the people of Haiti, have shown a powerful 
commitment to peace and to reconciliation. Working with them, you can 
help make real Haiti's reborn promise of democracy. I know you will do 
that.
    Good luck, and Godspeed.

[[Page 524]]

Note: The President spoke at 2:16 p.m. in the National Palace. In his 
remarks, he referred to United Nations Secretary-General Boutros 
Boutros-Ghali. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.