Article 4767 of alt.politics.clinton:
Path: bilver!tous!peora!masscomp!usenet.coe.montana.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!uicvm.uic.edu!u45301
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Wednesday, 19 Aug 1992 05:54:44 CDT
From: Mary Jacobs <U45301@uicvm.uic.edu>
Message-ID: <92232.055444U45301@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton
Subject: CLINTON TEXT: HAITIAN REFUGEES
Lines: 31

SEND COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS INFORMATION TO THE
CLINTON/GORE CAMPAIGN AT 75300.3115@COMPUSERVE.COM
(This information is posted for public education purposes.  It does
not necessarily represent the views of The University.)
========================================================================
Clinton for President


Statement by Governor Bill Clinton on Haitian Refugees

I am appalled by the decision of the Bush administration to pick up fleeing
Haitians on the high seas and forcibly return them to Haiti before considering
their claim to political asylum.  It was bad enough when there were failures to
offer them due process in making such a claim.  Now they are offered no process
at all before being returned.

This policy must not stand.  It is a blow to the principle of first asylum and
to America's moral authority in defending the rights of refugees around the
world.  This most recent policy shift is another sad example of the
Administration's callous response to a terrible human tragedy.

This problem will not be resolved until Washington addresses more firmly and
coherently the question of restoring democracy to Haiti.  The military regime
must be made to understand that it cannot successfully oppose the restoration of
democracy simply by waiting.  I urge the Administration to redouble its efforts,
with the OAS, to tighten the embargo and to insist that our European allies
observe it, particularly with regard to oil.

As I have said before, if I were President, I would -- in the absence of clear
and compelling evidence that they weren't political refugees -- give them
temporary asylum until we restored the elected government of Haiti.