Kendrick Meek: “I rise today to urge the Bush administration to move forward in providing the kind of security that we need in Haiti…”

“I rise today to urge the Bush administration to move forward in providing the kind of security that we need in Haiti right now. On average, every day in Haiti, 15 to 16 Haitian nationals are losing their lives due to rebel forces and anti-Aristide forces. I will tell my colleagues right now that the violence will continue to escalate. The rebels are getting more and more arms. They are getting body armor, they are getting helmets, they are getting all of the things that they need to continue to carry on the nightmare in Haiti. I want to say to the U.S. citizens here tonight, standing by will not make things better in Haiti. Being from Florida and being from Miami, Florida, there is going to be a number of individuals coming to our shores if we do not stand in and intervene now. It is important that the U.S. moves forth with France and Canada, who are willing to bring about peace in Haiti, so that we can have diplomatic talks with the opposition forces. The reason why there was not an agreement today at 5 o'clock is because there is no agreement to be made. The rebels cannot be controlled by opposition parties right now, and it is important that this administration acts now before military action will be paramount.”