February 25, 2004
Washington, DC – Today, after storming over to the White House and demanding a meeting with President Bush about the Administration’s inadequate efforts to hold off an impending coup d’etat in Haiti, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members were granted a meeting with Bush.
Earlier, the CBC delegation to the White House was met by Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condolezza Rice, who indicated that the Administration must first have a “political settlement” before resources can be sent to Haiti.
That answer was not enough. Lee and others demanded a meeting with the President. Lee told the President and told him that the Administration must push for a ceasefire, which would include both sides laying down their arms. Lee also told Bush that any arrangement must involve honoring the rule of law and the Haitian constitution, which was written after decades of political instability. Under the constitution and in accordance with the rule of law, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected.
“If the U.S. doesn’t want a violent overthrow and a coup d’etat, the Administration must forge a ceasefire, insist that both sides lay down their arms, and ensure that any political decisions made are in accordance with the rule of law and the Haitian constitution.”
“It is my hope that the U.S. will not block the international community’s efforts to pass a U.N. Security Council resolution, to provide international forces, and to save Haitian lives,” said Lee. “We want answers, we want action, and we want to say at the end of the day that our government did everything possible to prevent violence and uphold democracy.”
###
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Tells President Bush that U.S. Must Do More to Avert Coup D’Etat in Haiti
Lee Lays Down Conditions for Administration to Follow
Washington, DC – Today, after storming over to the White House and demanding a meeting with President Bush about the Administration’s inadequate efforts to hold off an impending coup d’etat in Haiti, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members were granted a meeting with Bush.
Earlier, the CBC delegation to the White House was met by Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condolezza Rice, who indicated that the Administration must first have a “political settlement” before resources can be sent to Haiti.
That answer was not enough. Lee and others demanded a meeting with the President. Lee told the President and told him that the Administration must push for a ceasefire, which would include both sides laying down their arms. Lee also told Bush that any arrangement must involve honoring the rule of law and the Haitian constitution, which was written after decades of political instability. Under the constitution and in accordance with the rule of law, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected.
“If the U.S. doesn’t want a violent overthrow and a coup d’etat, the Administration must forge a ceasefire, insist that both sides lay down their arms, and ensure that any political decisions made are in accordance with the rule of law and the Haitian constitution.”
“It is my hope that the U.S. will not block the international community’s efforts to pass a U.N. Security Council resolution, to provide international forces, and to save Haitian lives,” said Lee. “We want answers, we want action, and we want to say at the end of the day that our government did everything possible to prevent violence and uphold democracy.”
###