U.S. SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY

Senate Passes Resolution on Security In Haiti

The U.S. Senate late Thursday night passed the following resolution on Haiti, as part of the FY05 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill.  The resolution, offered as an amendment to the bill and approved unanimously, was sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the ranking member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, and was cosponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.). 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES -- 108th Cong., 2nd Sess.

 Making Appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.

INTENDED to be proposed by Mr. Leahy (for himself and Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Harkin, and Mr. Feingold) 

At the appropriate place in the bill, insert the following: 

IMPROVING SECURITY IN HAITI

SEC. . (a) Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Haiti is important to the national security interests of the United States.

(2) The United States has contributed significant assistance to support the political, economic and social development of Haiti with limited and uneven results.

(3) The Haitian people are currently suffering from extreme poverty, threats from armed groups who control large areas of the country, and violations of human rights, including kidnappings.

(4) As of September 22, 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne killed more than1,000 people, with many hundreds remaining missing, in Gonaives and other areas of Haiti, and caused severe destruction of property.

(5) The Interim Government of Haiti under Prime Minister Gerard Latortue is attempting to initiate much needed reforms and bring political stability to the country prior to the reintroduction of anticipated democratically-elected governance in 2005.

(6) On July 19-20, 2004, the international community pledged $1,085,000,000 in assistance for Haiti, including $230,000,000 from the United States.

(7) The immediate challenges facing Haiti are (a) addressing the insecurity and instability caused by armed groups who are undermining the ability of the Interim Government of Haiti to combat poverty and create the conditions for free and fair elections; (b) establishing the rule of law; and (c) economic reactivation and job creation.

(8) On April 30, 2004, the United Nations Security Council authorized the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) 6,700 military personnel and 1,622 civilian police personnel, but as of July 31, 2004, only 2,259 military personnel and 224 civilian police personnel had been deployed.

(9) MINUSTAH is essential to efforts to restore stability and security, including countering the activities of rebels, ex-combatants and other armed groups.

(b) Congress –

(1) appreciates the contributions of military and civilian police personnel to MINUSTAH by Brazil and other nations;

(2) calls upon the Secretary of State to redouble his efforts to encourage contributions of additional personnel to MINUSTAH;

(3) calls upon MINUSTAH to assertively fulfill its mandate under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter to "ensure a secure and stable environment within which the constitutional and political process in Haiti can take place", by confronting and resolving security threats to the Interim Government of Haiti and the people of Haiti;

(4) calls upon the United States and the international community, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States, to expedite the disbursement of sufficient assistance to enable the Interim Government of Haiti to –

        (a) address Haiti’s urgent humanitarian needs,
         including to assist Haitians affected by
         Tropical Storm Jeanne;

        (b) increase employment and promote
        economic development; and

        (c) carry out democratic elections in 2005;

(5) calls upon the Interim Government of Haiti to make every effort to ensure that all political parties can participate fully and freely in the electoral process; and

(6) notes that the failure to establish a secure and stable environment and to conduct credible and inclusive elections will likely result in Haiti’s complete transition from a failed state to a criminal state.

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