Russ Feingold: “the Haitian people find themselves embroiled in yet another political crisis. Following Jean Bertrand Aristide's…”

“the Haitian people find themselves embroiled in yet another political crisis. Following Jean Bertrand Aristide's departure on February 29, 2004, the Haitian people once again are forced to pick up the pieces of their broken political system. Again, they must renew their search for democracy, a search that has lasted for two hundred years with little progress. Thirty coups after Haiti established its independence in 1804, Haitians continue to live in severe poverty, battling HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and a political culture of thuggery and violence. The United States has played an important role in Haiti's history. From U.S. military intervention in 1915 and the 19-year occupation that followed to the restoration of President Aristide in 1994 by U.S. forces, politics in Haiti have been deeply influenced by its larger and more powerful neighbor. Now, the United States has an obligation to assist in rebuilding Haiti in collaboration with our international partners. However, our assistance must be shaped and implemented with an eye to our previous mistakes. For too long, our approach has been ad-hoc and short-term, and the Haitian people have suffered. It is no wonder that some are suspicious of democracy and the role of the United States today.”