Letter to Colin Powell

The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW, Room 7261
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Powell:

As you may know, I returned to Haiti this past weekend. While there, it became clear to me that a bloodbath in that country is imminent in spite of the fact that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has agreed to the peace plan worked out by the international community.

The opposition has rejected the peace plan, and they have refused to negotiate. They also have sent a signal to groups of thugs and a newly formed army of exiled criminals that they will support the violent overthrow of the democratically-elected government of Haiti.

These thugs, and the newly reformed army made up of exiled former military officers and criminals known as The Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti (Fraph), have murdered many people in Cap Haitien and now control several cities. They are now on their way to Port-au-Prince, and there will be a bloodbath there in hours unless there is some form of intervention from the United States and the international community beyond merely securing their embassies.

I implore you to act immediately to send assistance to Haiti to strengthen the Haitian police force and to restore law and order and preserve democracy in Haiti.

Sincerely,

Maxine Waters
Member of Congress