Porter Goss: “earlier this week Haitian Senator Toussaint was gunned down in front of his home in a gruesome, politically- motivated…”

“earlier this week Haitian Senator Toussaint was gunned down in front of his home in a gruesome, politically- motivated murder. Toussaint had been a member of the OPL, the political party that has controlled parliament in Haiti and is the opposition party for current President Preval and former President Aristide, and it is no coincidence that the loss of Senator Toussaint also means the loss of OPL's majority status in the Haitian Senate. Mr. Speaker, it is also no coincidence that in Haiti those who are targeted for surveillance, intimidation and even worse are Haitian and American individuals who are working in support of the rule of law; free, fair elections; and economic improvement in that impoverished country. The United Nations has called attention to the crises, noting there is increased polarization in the country and new risk to constitutional government, but there has been precious little word out of the Clinton administration. Mr. Speaker, the crown jewel of their foreign policy is badly tarnished, and we need a new approach to Haiti's failed democracy. We are filing such legislation today, and I urge Members to read it and support it.”