19291: White: Barbara Lee: House International Relations Committee Members call on Bush to act immediately on Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2004
CONTACT:  Andrew Kauders, 202-226-3210



MR. PRESIDENT, YOU MUST ACT NOW ON HAITI
International Relations Committee Members
Warn of Massive Migration and Complete Chaos in Haiti

WASHINGTON, DC -- As rebel troops descend on the Haitian capital,
Democratic Members of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee and other
House International Relations Committee Members are calling on the
Bush Administration and the UN to immediately provide international
peacekeepers.

Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez and
other Committee Members have called for an immediate hearing on the
crisis in Haiti, and have called on the United States to uphold
democracy in Haiti and prevent massive humanitarian crisis and
further looting, death and destruction, and dangerous attempts at
migration to the US.

If President Aristide is deposed by violence and extra-constitutional
means, this Administration must be held accountable for its failure
to act decisively against a critical threat to our Hemisphere.

Ranking Subcommittee Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, "The United
States has an obligation to send a clear signal that we support
democracy and the rule of law.  We urge the President to act
immediately to prevent further violence and a severe humanitarian
crisis.  Our words and actions in this crisis have consequences
beyond Haiti and will be heard throughout the Western Hemisphere.  At
a moment when numerous democracies in the region are threatened, the
United States cannot stand idly by and watch years of democratic
progress crumble."

Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee Tom
Lantos (D-CA) said, "The time is now.  The Administration must
immediately work feverishly to secure UN authorization for an
international civilian security force to come to the aid of a
democratically elected head of government against a band of known
criminals and henchmen to former military dictators."

Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Member and long-time Haiti supporter,
Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ) urged President Bush to publicly
condemn the attempt to overthrow a democratically-elected government.
"We urge the US to take the lead for a quick diplomatic solution and
the UN Security Council to immediately come to a decision for an
international security force to help bring an end to the violence and
humanitarian crisis,"  Payne said.  "People are dying, food is
running out, and Haiti's fragile institutions cannot withstand the
crisis.  The US must act now and lead an international effort in
Haiti."

Congressman William D. Delahunt (D-MA), also a Member of the Western
Hemisphere Subcommittee added, "The situation in Haiti is
deteriorating rapidly, with potentially serious consequences for the
United States.  Yet the Bush Administration continues to send mixed
messages about the legitimacy of the government of President
Aristide, apparently not realizing that this has implications far
beyond the current crisis in Haiti.  The Administration's reluctance
to support a legitimately-elected President threatened with violent
overthrow sends a terrible message about the US commitment to
democracy and our own credibility.  Thus it has regrettably become
necessary for President Bush to personally clarify that the US
continues to support democracy.  He must state, publicly and
unequivocally, that the US will actively take steps to stop the
violence, and will not recognize or accept any new Haitian government
that is not the product of a constitutional, democratic and peaceful
process."

"The situation in Haiti today is dire and must be addressed," said
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), a House International Relations
Committee Member, who requested the hearing on Monday.  "A hearing to
review the most recent events in Haiti and what the United States can
do to uphold democracy and the rule of law is overdue.  Haitians are
dying every day, and in response to the bloodshed, the United States
must do its part to promote stability in a sovereign nation in our
own hemisphere.  There is no doubt that the committee leadership
should expeditiously hold this hearing."

Congressman Meeks (D-NY), also a Member of the House International
Relations Committee, stated, "As the world's superpower, built on the
principles of democracy, we have repeatedly spoken of our desire to
spread democracy abroad.  If our mandate really is to promote
democracy and protect Americans from terrorists, then we must first
do so in the countries closest to our own borders.  The United States
cannot allow a failed state to exist so close to our borders while
the specter of terrorism still exists.  We must act now."

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