Lee Metcalf: “I rise with great concern over the administration's action in Haiti. On March 31, 1995, President Clinton turned over…”

“I rise with great concern over the administration's action in Haiti. On March 31, 1995, President Clinton turned over control of the Multi National Force [MNF] in Haiti, to the United Nations, under the auspice of the U.N. Mission in Haiti [UNMIH]. UNMIH, although still under American command, differs from the previous U.S. operation in two respects. The net effect of these changes is a U.S. commander and U.S. forces under the control of the U.N. Special Representative, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi and a U.N. mandate for rules of engagement [ROE] which dictate the use of force by U.S. troops. Mr. Speaker, in his report to the U.N. Security Council on January 17, 1995, Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated; ``UNMIH will consist of civilian, military and civilian police components under the control of my special representative, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi.'' This statement by the Secretary makes it clear he expects that General Kinser will work under the direction of the United Nations. In his report to Congress on February 1, 1995, President Clinton indirectly acknowledged this by stating ``the UNMIH commander will work for the U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary General.'' The administration, Mr. Speaker, will respond to my concern by stating that General Kinzer will have operational control of all forces in Haiti. This is a considerable improvement over the situation in Somali, but it is still not good enough.”