The Governors Island Agreement leading to the October 30 deadline for the restoration of President Aristide has clearly been breached by the Haitian military and political elite. The prospects for democracy in Haiti in any reasonable time frame after October 30 appear grim. As my Congressional district has been. and will continue to be. the primary point of entry for Haitian refugees. I and the people I represent have an urgent interest in a skillful and firm resolution of this problem. I want to stress that the United States primary national interest with regard to Haiti remains the protection of lives and property here in the U.S. That is why I believe it is critical that the U.S. Navy/Coast Guard cordon designed to return Haitian refugees for incountry processing be maintained and strengthened immediately. It is logical to expect that recent events will incite renewed flight from Haiti. which must not be permitted to overwhelm our repatriation capability. Beyond this immediate aim. however. the United States has a longterm interest in helping establish the conditions needed for democracy to grow in Haiti. We will never solve the ongoing immigration crisis without the restoration of democracy in Haiti. Hinging Haitis democratic future solely on the good faith of military dictators and the success of a porous U.N. economic embargo. however. is not the answer. That is why I believe you anti your foreign policy advisers should consider taking the following steps to restore democracy in Haiti: (1) Recruit and train a professional military force composed of Haitians who will establish. by force if necessary. the conditions necessary for the return of democratic rule in Haiti.
Keywords matched
refugees immigration