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<b>PRESS RELEASE<br>
For Immediate Release<br>
Contact: Nathan Britton<br>
3/1/05<br>
(202) 225-2661<br><br>
Rep. Barbara Lee Calls for Truth and Action for Haiti<br>
On Anniversary of Ouster of Aristide<br>
</b> <br>
(<i>Washington, DC</i>) - <i>Representative Barbara Lee issued the
following statement on the anniversary of the violent ouster of Haiti's
democratically elected President, Jean Bertrand Aristide:<br>
</i> <br>
"Today marks the one-year anniversary of Haiti's 33rd coup
d'etat. The internationally orchestrated ouster of President Jean
Bertrand Aristide last year sent Haiti into a political, social and
economic downward spiral and cast a dark shadow of doubt on our nation's
commitment to the principle of democracy. <br>
<br>
"As we reflect on this tragic anniversary, it is high time that we
remove all doubt as to our commitment to democracy and demonstrate our
commitment to a healthy, democratic Haiti.<br>
<br>
"We would oppose the overthrow of our own government, and there must
be no doubt that we would oppose the overthrow of other democratically
elected governments. Yet today, grave doubts remain about the role
the Bush administration played in the removal of President
Aristide. This is a fundamental issue of democracy, and the
American people deserve to know the TRUTH about just what happened.<br>
<br>
"That is why I have reintroduced the The Responsibility To Uncover
The Truth about Haiti (TRUTH) Act. The Truth Act will create an
independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the unanswered
questions about the Bush administration's role in this violation of
democracy.<br>
<br>
"Our nation has a responsibility not only to help restore democracy,
but to help Haiti to rebuild, starting with the basic building blocks of
public health.<br>
<br>
"Today in Haiti less than 45 percent of Haitians have access to safe
water and access to sanitation. Haiti accounts for 90 percent of
AIDS cases in the Caribbean. A healthy nation cannot grow under
such conditions, and that is why I have reintroduced the New Partnership
for Haiti Act of 2005, a comprehensive plan where Haitians and Americans
work together to address these issues and rebuild the nation's health
infrastructure.<br>
<br>
"A year after this crime against democracy, the situation in Haiti
is deplorable. The unconstitutional government has allowed the
political violence of armed gangs and thugs to grow, while schools and
hospitals close. We have a responsibility to ensure that Haiti
disarms these thugs and stops the political violence, that political
prisoners are freed, and that truly democratic elections set Haiti back
on the course to democracy. We must know the TRUTH about the full
degree our nation's involvement in creating this situation, and we must
set about making it right."<br>
<br><br>
<br>
# # #<br><br>
<br>
Nathan Britton<br>
<br>
Communications Director<br>
Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee<br>
1724 Longworth House Office Bldg.<br>
ph 202 225-2661<br>
fax 202 225-9817<br><br>
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