Chris Dodd: “as a cosponsor, I rise to discuss the DeWine/Bingaman amendment. This important measure would designate $20 million for…”

“as a cosponsor, I rise to discuss the DeWine/Bingaman amendment. This important measure would designate $20 million for critical election assistance, employment and public works projects, and police assistance in Haiti. I am pleased that agreement has been reached to include this amendment in the managers' package. It has been just over a year since President Jean Bertrand Aristide was forced into exile. It is well known that the United States played an active role in his departure. I do not wish at this time to consider just how great that role may have been. But as I have stated before, I am troubled that our Government chose to use its influence to remove a democratically elected leader--and for all of President Aristide's faults, he was that--rather than working to restore stability. To its credit, the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Haiti, MINUSTAH, has done much to reestablish security following President Aristide's departure. I applaud those countries, particularly those Latin American countries, which have contributed forces. I am also encouraged by the work of the international community in support of the Haitian elections scheduled for this fall. But without United States leadership, I am afraid that any temporary stability will be fleeting. Indeed, the Bush administration and the international community had an opportunity to become engaged in Haiti well before we reached the current state of affairs. It failed to do so.…”