THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 17, 1994 TAG: 9409170344
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Both candidates in North Carolina's 3rd District congressional race said Friday they are opposed to any U.S. military intervention in Haiti.
Incumbent Democrat Martin Lancaster and his Republican challenger, Walter B. Jones Jr., said they are unconvinced despite President Clinton's contention that the removal of Haiti's military government is in the national interest.
``For some time now, I have called on President Clinton to make his case to the American people for why one U.S. military person's life should be risked in Haiti. He has now stated that case. But he has not convinced me. And I do not believe he has convinced the constituents of my district,'' Lancaster said Friday in a statement issued from his Washington, D.C., office.
Lancaster said Clinton ``seems more interested in saving face than in democracy.''
``If he were interested in democracy, he would recognize that in the democratic government of this country, Congress is given the authority in the Constitution to declare war,'' Lancaster said.
The congressman added, ``While he may make an argument that in certain international crises he has the authority to put our military personnel in harm's way without coming first to Congress, no such crisis exists here.''
Lancaster chided Clinton for failing to seek the opinions of rank-and-file members of Congress on the Haitian situation.
``The President has been talking interminably about Haiti for months,'' he said. ``He may have been consulting with congressional leaders, but he has made no attempt to communicate to the rank-and-file members of Congress, or to seek our advice.''
Jones, contacted during a campaign swing through the Outer Banks, said Clinton failed to define what vital American interests would be served by military intervention in the Caribbean nation.
``I'm very much opposed to any Americans being sent to Haiti,'' Jones said. ``I don't think the president made justification for it. He can't tell us what the security interests are in Haiti, because there are none.''
Jones said he found strong opposition to intervention in Haiti during a recent visit to an Onslow County fast-food restaurant.
``No one there could understand why we were going to Haiti,'' Jones said. ``There were several veterans there, and they all said it was not in our best interest to go.''
Echoing Lancaster, Jones said Congress should be consulted before American troops are sent to combat on the island nation.
``If I were a member of Congress, I would be upset. Congress should have a say in determining if we send troops,'' Jones said. ``It's great to see both Republicans and Democrats who are on the same side in this.''
Jones also said he has serious doubts about the man the Clinton administration would like to see in power in Haiti - the Rev. Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The congressional candidate also is skeptical about an administration claim that Aristide has agreed to step down at the end of his term, once he is returned to power.
``It's my understanding he has some very strong Marxist leanings,'' Jones said. ``As far as his giving up power after his term ends, I don't put a lot of stock in anything coming out of the White House.''
Jones was on a swing through Dare, Currituck and Camden counties on Friday. This weekend, Lancaster plans stops in Greenville, Goldsboro, Beaufort, Newport and Morehead City. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Lancaster
Jones
KEYWORDS: HAITI CONGRESSIONAL RACE NORTH CAROLINA by CNB