Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns

Publication Date: June 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Coverage: Haiti

Abstract:

President Jean-Bertrand Aristide first assumed office in February 1991, following elections that were widely heralded as the first free and fair elections in Haiti's then-186-year history. He was overthrown by a military coup in September 1991. For over three years, the military regime resisted international demands that Aristide be restored to office. U.S. policy under the Administrations of Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton consisted of pressuring the de facto Haitian military regime to restore constitutional democracy. Measures included cutting off aid to the government; imposing trade embargoes; supporting OAS and U.N. diplomatic efforts, and ultimately, a military intervention to remove the regime.

In September 1994, after a U.S. military intervention had been launched, the military regime agreed to Aristide's return, the immediate, unopposed entry of U.S. troops, and the resignation of its leadership. President Aristide returned to Haiti in October 1994, under the protection of some 20,000 U.S. troops. Aristide disbanded the army and, with U.S. assistance, began to train a professional, civilian police force. Elections held under Aristide and his successor, Rene Preval (1996-2000), including the one in which Aristide was reelected in 2000, were marred by alleged irregularities, low voter turnout, and opposition boycotts. Efforts to negotiate a resolution to the electoral dispute frustrated the international community for years. Tension and violence in Haiti continued throughout Aristide's second term, culminating in his departure from office in February 2004, after the opposition repeatedly refused to negotiate a political solution and armed groups took control of over half the country. Aristide claims that he is still the elected president and that the United States forced him from office, a charge the Bush Administration denies.

An interim government, backed by the Bush Administration, was established with Gerard LaTortue as Prime Minister. The U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti has improved security conditions, but Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, remains unstable. Natural disasters have contributed to instability. Debate over whether security conditions and technical problems will be sufficiently resolved to allow free, fair, and safe elections have led to several postponements. Presidential elections are now set for January 8 and runoff elections for February 15.

Congressional concerns regarding Haiti include fostering stability and democratic development, the cost and effectiveness of U.S. assistance, protection of human rights, improvement of security conditions, combating narcotics trafficking, addressing Haitian migration, and alleviating poverty. Current law related to Haiti includes P.L. 109-13, P.L. 108-25, P.L. 108-324, and P.L. 108-447. Legislation includes H.R. 257, H.R. 611, H.R. 899, H.R. 945, H.R. 946, H.R. 1130, H.R. 1213/S. 704, H.R. 1409, H.R. 1737, H.R. 2092, H.R. 2592, H.R. 2601, H.R. 3057, H.R. 3658, H.R. 3700, H.R. 4211/S. 1937, S. 350, S. 453, S. 600, S. 1197. This report will be updated periodically. See also CRS Report RL33156, Haiti: International Assistance Strategy for the Interim Government and Congressional Concerns; and "Haiti" in CRS Report RL32733, Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the U.S. Congress .