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, apparentl
