William R. Richardson: “along with two members of the Committee on Intelligence, I just got back from Haiti, where we saw how House vote sent…”

“along with two members of the Committee on Intelligence, I just got back from Haiti, where we saw how House vote sent terrible signals to the Haitian military rulers; basically, the signal being that the United States had no policy, that we did not have resolve, that we were sending mixed messages. That is why I am opposing the McCloskey amendment today, although it is well-intended and supported by some leaders on this issue for whom I have enormous respect. If we adopt this amendment, we are going contrary to what the President of the United States wants. The President has sent a letter opposing this amendment. What lifting the embargo unilaterally would do, is prolong, widen, and intensify the war. But what it will also do is Americanize this war. We will become deeply involved in this conflict. Remember what the American people are saying about the Bosnias, about the Haitis, about the Somalias; they are saying, ``Be careful, be careful about using American troops, be careful about getting in and not being able to get out.'' Lifting the embargo unilaterally ill cause our British and French allies to leave Bosnia, destroying the U.N. relief effort, which now feeds 2 out of 3 Bosnians. The United States is going to take the blame and the heat. Lifting the embargo unilaterally would jeopardize other U.N. sanctions against Iraq, Libya, Haiti, and Serbia.”