Porter Goss: “the President is holding open his options in Haiti with a stepped up embargo and contingency plans for military…”

“the President is holding open his options in Haiti with a stepped up embargo and contingency plans for military intervention. Failing the first, the second option will do. In fact, Randall Robinson, the President's de facto special adviser on Haiti, gave voice to this idea yesterday saying that ``Because sanctions will not work we have no choice but to pursue ultimately a solution of military intervention.'' I agree about the sanctions, but I disagree about the military intervention. Today, Members who feel strongly about keeping United States soldiers out of a quagmire in Haiti and about the unwise extension of the embargo can go on record in opposition to the President's policy and I support of the constructive alternative embodied in the Goss safe-haven amendment. This resolution supports the establishment of a safe haven under U.N./OAS auspices on the 269-square-mile Haitian island of Gonave to accomplish a number of things. That island, incidentally, is right here in the Bay of Haiti, 270 square miles. It is a rather large island with about 80,000 people on it right now. By following the safe-haven plan, we provide the real opportunity for the duly elected President to return.”