19319: White: U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings Introduces Legislation Calling For International Efforts to End the Violence in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

PDF of Resolution> http://www.HaitiAction.net/Media/PDF/HaRs.pdf

U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings Introduces Legislation Calling
For International Efforts to End the Violence in Haiti

International Efforts will require U.S. Assistance.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fred Turner
February 26, 2004
Office: (202) 225-1313


Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL)
introduced legislation today calling for international efforts to end
ongoing violence in Haiti.  Representative Hastings' resolution also
summons the United States government to assume a leadership role in
the international mission, and calls on Haitian President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide to announce early elections.

"Finding an immediate solution that will bring stability while
strengthening the democratic process in Haiti must be our first
priority," said Representative Hastings.  "President Bush has
appallingly neglected the Haitian crisis, with his only involvement
to date being the shameful reversal of more than 50 years of American
and international refugee law and practice."

Additionally, Representative Hastings' resolution calls on the
Secretary of State to request a special United Nations General
Assembly Session to consider a UN-sponsored peace-building mission to
Haiti; calls on the Secretary of Defense to play a "leading role in
establishing and, if necessary, deploying an international
stabilization force in Haiti"; and requests the Administrator of
United States Agency for International Development (US AID) to commit
humanitarian assistance.

"To put an end to violence, the best solution is to involve the
international community in ceasing the hostilities, to find respite
and protect the population," concluded Representative Hastings.  "A
peaceful and democratic solution is needed that respects the rule of
law, most importantly, the rights of Haiti's citizenry."

PDF of Resolution> http://www.HaitiAction.net/Media/PDF/HaRs.pdf