18545: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Questions Secretary of State Colin Powell About Bush Administration's Commitment to Haitian Democracy (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

Subject: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Questions Secretary of State Colin
  Powell About Bush Administration's Commitment to Haitian Democracy

NEWS from

CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE

9th District, California

For Immediate Release:                          Contact:

February 11, 2004                                    Stuart Chapman
202-225-2398

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Questions Secretary of State Colin Powell
About Bush Administration's Commitment to Haitian Democracy

  Washington, DC - Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), a member of the House
International Relations Committee (HIRC) today sent a letter to
Secretary of State Colin Powell asking for a clarification of the
Administration's Haiti policy. Secretary Powell spoke today at the
HIRC, but due to the time constraints of the hearing, Lee was not
able to formally pose questions to the Secretary, though she
discussed the issue with him afterwards.

In recent days, as opposition parties have waged war against the
government of democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide, Administration officials, such as Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld, have indicated that "we have no plans to do anything [in
Haiti]."  Also yesterday, Secretary of State Spokesman Richard
Boucher implicitly impugned the Aristide Government by saying that "a
political settlement will require some fairly thorough changes in the
way Haiti is governed."
Recent reports, which Lee addressed in her letter, suggest that the
Administration, directly or indirectly, may be providing resources to
the opposition forces.
Lee's letter comes on the heels of a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
press conference this morning, in which Lee, Co-Chair of the Haiti
Task Force, and the CBC declared that they were supporting the
CARICOM plan, which calls for the cessation of violence, disarmament,
and provides a peaceful and democratic means for deciding Haiti's
future.

Connecting the Administration's rationale of "regime change" in Iraq
to its possible actions in Haiti, Lee asked Powell, "How can we call
for democracy in Iraq and not say very clearly that we support
democratic elections as the only option in Haiti?"

"I must say, Mr. Secretary, that our failure to support the
democratic process and help restore order looks like a covert effort
to help overthrow a government. There is a violent coup d'etat in the
making, and it appears that the United States is aiding and abetting
the attempt to violently topple the Aristide Government."

It is imperative, Lee said, that the United States do more to help
the Haitian people. "The present conditions in Haiti continue to
deteriorate," Lee told Powell.  "People are dying and our own
commitment to democracy is under siege."


February 12, 2004

The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Thank you for coming to the House International Resources Committee
today.  While we ran out of time before I could raise my questions in
committee, I enjoyed speaking to you afterwards.
As you know, conditions in Haiti are rapidly deteriorating.  People
are dying, and our own commitment to democracy is under siege.  We
have a moral and regional obligation to help one of our closest
neighbors.  Furthermore, Article 17 of the OAS Inter-American
Democratic Charter requires that all OAS nations come to the aid of a
democratic government under siege.

I must say, Mr. Secretary, that our failure to support the democratic
process and help restore order looks like a covert effort to
overthrow a government.  There is a violent coup d'etat in the
making, and it appears that the United States is aiding and abetting
the attempt to violently topple the Aristide Government. With all due
respect, this looks like "regime change."

This situation demands sustained U.S. engagement to promote
democracy, yet disturbing reports indicate our actions - or inaction
- may be making things worse.  The opposition is well-funded and
well-armed, even though President Aristide pleas for resources to
better train police forces have fallen on deaf ears.  Yet, State
Department officials have implied that President Aristide's departure
could be an option in solving the current crisis.  How can we call
for democracy in Iraq and not say very clearly that we support
democratic elections as the only option in Haiti?

Since I did not have the opportunity to raise the following questions
in committee, I would appreciate it if you could provide a written
reply so that I might have a better understanding of Administration
policy toward Haiti:

1. Does the State Department support the democratically-elected
government of Haiti?  What practical steps is our government taking
to support the democratic process?
2. Is our country supporting and sanctioning an overthrow of the
Aristide Government by giving a wink and a nod to the opposition?
There are also reports that we are covertly funding the opposition.

3. Does the United States support the CARICOM proposal, and will we
work through the OAS to broker a peaceful solution, not an overthrow
of the Aristide Government?

4. Is it true that Haitian opposition parties and leaders have
received USAID funding?

5. We understand the Haitian government made several requests over
the last two years for equipment and training of Haiti's police
force. Why were these requests never responded to?


Thank you for your attention,

  Barbara Lee
  Member of Congress

C. Stuart Chapman
Press Secretary
Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee
1724 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-2398
202-225-9817 (fax)