19227: White: Statement of Rep.Barbara Lee to US House of Representatives 2/24/04 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

Statement of Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Regarding the Situation in Haiti

US House of Representatives

February 24, 2004


...Ms. LEE

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to ask the Bush administration why in the
world our country appears to be allowing a violent coup d'etat to
occur in Haiti. Through a wink and a nod, our administration is
allowing this violence to occur, and we must not stand for it.

    The democratically elected President of Haiti could be overthrown
any minute. At risk, of course, is the safety of over 8 million lives
in Haiti. We cannot play politics with rebels and with thugs. They
are trying to change their government through the use of force, not
by democratic elections. We do not allow coups to take place in the
United States, and we should uphold that standard for neighboring
countries, neighboring democracies, especially one in our own
hemisphere.

    Throughout Haiti's 200 years of independence, it has experienced
32 coups, but it seemed that the tragic cycle ended in 1991 with
President Aristide's first Presidential victory. After a coup, the
United States helped restore then-exiled President Aristide in 1996,
and later he ran and was reelected in the fall of 2001. Tonight as we
speak, President Aristide is warding off yet another coup attempt and
a potential civil war, and democracy is under fire again in Haiti.

    Two weeks ago now I wrote to Secretary Powell and asked the
following questions:

    One: Does the State Department support the democratically elected
Government of Haiti? What practical steps is our government taking to
support the democratic process?

    Two: 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.

    Third: Is it true that the Haitian opposition parties and leaders
have received USAID funding?

    Fourth: We understand the Haitian Government made several requests
over the last 2 years for equipment and training of Haiti's police
force. Why were these requests never responded to?

    Secretary Powell said, and I quote, ``We cannot allow thugs and
murderers to overthrow the democratically elected government of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide,'' but now there appears to be a
major disconnect between the Bush administration's words and actions.
Their rhetoric says one thing, and their actions say something else.

    This Friday, prior to the international diplomatic team traveling
to Haiti, members of the Congressional Black Caucus asked the
administration to act immediately and prevent the rebels from taking
over more cities in Haiti. We are awaiting a response to both of
these letters.

    We are working to protect democracy in Haiti day and night, but
unfortunately people in Haiti are still dying as a result of rebel
attacks, hunger and the like. The ongoing negotiations to broker a
peace plan are failing, and it is not at all a result of President
Aristide. President Aristide has shown good faith by accepting the
Catholic bishops' plan, the CARICOM plan and now this peace plan.

    Haiti is embroiled in violence. Armed rebels are burning down
jails and pillaging villages, toting M-16s and M-50s. Haiti only has
3,500 police for over 8 million people. It is only common sense that
disarming thugs and murderers and forging a cease-fire go hand in
hand.

    The United States cannot sit back and watch a country especially
in our own hemisphere spiral further down into a state of turmoil.
Bush must show some leadership and speak out against the violence and
the disregard for the rule of law in Haiti. President Bush should
speak out in support of the democratically elected President of Haiti
and provide President Aristide the assistance that he needs to
promote peace on the ground, allow free and fair elections to take
place, and to uphold the Haitian constitution.

    How can we sit back and witness a violent attempt to overthrow a
government? Is this part of the Bush administration's regime change
policy?

    Democracy in Haiti is in grave danger. Turmoil rages on the
ground, in the streets, at the university, through the halls of
government, and in the homes of Haitians. Haitians are dying, and it
is apparent that the hope for peace is diminishing.

    If we believe, if we truly believe in the power of democracy and
the potential for global peace, we must not turn a blind eye to our
neighbor and long-time ally. This is an urgent cry to our
administration, specifically President Bush, to formally request a
meeting of the United States Security Council with the hope of
bringing the world community's resources to bear in support of the
government of Haiti.

    The United States must stop dragging its feet and answer the call
President Aristide made again yesterday. He said, ``Should those
killers come to Port-au-Prince, you may have thousands of people who
may be killed.'' We need the presence of the international community
as soon as possible.





February 20, 2004

President GEORGE BUSH,
The White House,
Washington, DC.

    DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: Thank you for your Administration's new
initiative to resolve the current political crisis in Haiti. The
Congressional Black Caucus agrees that we cannot allow ``thugs'' and
``murderers'' to overthrow the democratically-elected government of
President Jean Betrand Aristide, as Secretary Powell stated on
February 17, 2004. Additionally, we are pleased that the United
States, France, Canada, CARICOM, and the OAS will meet with the
Government of Haiti to discuss how we can work together to secure the
country, stop the escalating violence, restore the rule of law, and
take steps forward to implement the CARICOM proposal.

    There must be an immediate cease-fire, and as these talks move
forward, we hope that the United States insists that all parties lay
down their arms and stop the violence. Haitians are dying every day,
and the United States must do its part to guarantee a cease-fire,
uphold democracy, and promote stability in a sovereign nation in our
own hemisphere. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus agree that
these emergency talks will be critical to ending the current violence.

    We respectfully encourage you to invite experienced, independent
observers to travel to Haiti to monitor and observe the meeting.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward
to working with you to help resolve this crisis.

    Sincerely,


Barbara Lee; John Conyers, Jr.; Donald M. Payne; Bobby L. Rush;
Sheila Jackson-Lee; Elijah E. Cummings; Maxine Waters; Diane E.
Watson; Gregory W. Meeks.

February 12, 2004

Hon. COLIN POWELL,
Secretary of State,
Washington, DC.

    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 Chapter 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's 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.



Jamila Thompson

Legislative Assistant/ Systems Manager

Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee

1724 Longworth House Office Building

Phone: 202-225-2661

Fax:  202-225-9817