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“NO END IN SIGHT IN HAITI” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H7251 on July 19, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NO END IN SIGHT IN HAITI
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, another week has gone by and by all accounts there are still more questions, more uncertainties regarding the situation in Haiti. I am happy to report, however, that Ambassador Dobbins of the State Department Haiti working group has removed one uncertainty. In hearings last week he took the time to clarify the amount of money the United States taxpayers paid for the intervention in Haiti. As you know, we have been using a rough figure frequently cited in the press--something in the neighborhood of $2 billion. In fact, Ambassador Dobbins told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that for just the period between the occupation of Haiti in September 1994 and the March 1995 takeover by the United Nations mission in Haiti, the Clinton administration only spent $1.2 billion. That is a load off of my mind. Of course, my constituents will still be interested to know what progress has been achieved toward a more democratic and stable Haiti for the sum of $1.2 billion of their tax dollars.
How, for example, is the elections process going? This week, the
long-awaited OAS assessment of the June 25 Haitian elections was finally released. The conclusion? According to OAS Secretary-General Cesar Geviria: ``It is difficult for us to say that this was free and fair. Everybody knows there were a lot of flaws.'' Given the abuse that credible observer organizations like the International Republican Institute took when they offered the same conclusion, I am surprised at the resounding lack of interest in Mr. Geviria's statement in both the Clinton administration and the media. Secretary General Geviria also went on to say he hopes Haitian officials will ``find a way to get these results accepted'' and ``solve some of these problems in the three elections we have ahead.'' We hope so too, but there are signs that the process may already be seriously damaged. The first of those upcoming elections, originally slated for this weekend, are supposed to be a makeup day for areas where gross irregularities, administrative snafus, or ballot-burning meant Haitians could not exercise their right to vote. As of Tuesday these elections have been indefinitely postponed.
Added to this is the fact that
23 of the 27 parties participating in the June election continue to reject the process, and therefore the results. They have vowed to boycott both the makeup elections and the runoffs set for some time in August. There is also a growing list of disturbing events to consider. The shooting of a mayoral candidate during the elections and a deputy candidate 2 days later were disturbing enough. This week Deputy Mayor Elect Johnny Charles was attacked by knife-wielding thugs. If the security environment deteriorates, it will simply add another disincentive for Haitians who might otherwise participate in the political process as either voters or candidates.
Time is passing and each day brings us closer to the February date envisioned for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the end of the U.N. mission. But the lack of progress on elections and growing questions regarding security point to a possible continuation of the mission well into the new year. Mr. Speaker, each day that passes means more bills added to the $1.2 billion tab that the American taxpayers have already paid in Haiti. My constituents and I would like to know: Is the end in sight?
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