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https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/files/original/02ab9842ac2da886b1da04e134c44e35.pdf
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Clinton Presidential Library
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Inventory for FOIA Request 2011-1040-F
Records on Operation Able Manner
Extent
16 folders, approximately 597 pages
Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the
Presidential Records Act (PRA) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552, as amended) and
therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with legal exemptions.
Copyright
Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of
their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the
United States (17 USC, 101) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of
copyrighted material.
Provenance
Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library
and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of
the Presidential Records Act.
Processed by
Staff Archivist, 2012. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released.
Scope and Content
The materials in FOIA 2011-1040 are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the
FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials.
FOIA 2011-1040-F consists of correspondence, email, forms, memoranda, printed materials, resumes,
and statements related to Operation Able Manner, the Coast Guard’s response to the large number of
migrants fleeing Haiti during the early 1990s. In 1981, the governments of the United States and Haiti
reached an agreement allowing the U.S. Coast Guard to intercept Haitian vessels carrying
undocumented migrants and to repratriate those Haitians found not to have a legitimate asylum claim.
As political and economic unrest resulted in increased migration from Haiti, President George Bush
signed Executive Order 12807 on May 24, 1992. This E.O. stated the Coast Guard should intercept
migrants on the high seas and return them to Haiti. The formal effort to interdict the Haitian migrant
vessels, Operation Able Manner, thus began on January 15, 1993, five days before President William
Jefferson Clinton took office. Faced with the prospect of an overwhelming migration from Haiti,
President Clinton chose to continue the Operation and the Bush Administration’s policy while also
pushing for the return of democratically-elected President Aristide, who had fled Haiti after a military
coup in September 1991. President Aristide returned to Haiti after U.S. military intervention in
2011-1040-F
Clinton Presidential Library’s web site
http://www.clintonlibrary.gov
1
�September 1994, and Operation Able Manner formally concluded on November 26, 1994. The Coast
Guard interdicted 25, 177 Haitian migrants during the conduct of the Operation, with the highest volume
of interdictions occuring in June and July 1994. As the number of migrants became too large for Coast
Guard vessels, many were taken to the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for processing.
The repatriation of these Haitians continued until early 1995.
The Automated Records Management System consists of White House email concerning US operations
concerning Haitian and Cuban refugees/ migrants. The email from this collection is best described as
reports making reference to Operation Able Manner or Operation Able Vigil. However, some email
consists of policy development concerning Haitian and Cuban refugees.
Cables, emails, and memos discussing Operation Able Manner can be found in the NSC Cable, Email,
and Records Management Systems. However, the majority of the records related to this FOIA case are
closed for national security reasons.
System of Arrangement
Records that are responsive ot this FOIA request were found in this collection area – Clinton
Presidential Records: ARMS Emails, and Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email and Records
Management Systems.
The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) is a database that contains email records of the
Executive Office of the President. This system maintained unclassified Presidential email. The ARMS
dataset is comprised of 6 sub-series of email records called “Buckets.” The buckets include NPR, OPD,
POTUS, WHO, CEA, and Default. ARMS emails are arranged chronologically by creation date.
The following is a list of documents and folders processed in response to FOIA 2011-1040-F:
Box 1
Clinton Presidential Records: Automated Records Management System [Email]
OPD [OA/ID 250,000]
[Cuban and Haitian Refugee)
[04/14/1994 – 05/03/1994]
WHO [OA/ID 500,000]
[Cuban and Haitian Refugee)
[09/13/1994]
WHO [OA/ID 500,000]
[Operation Able Manner, Operation Able Vigil]
[03/23/1994 – 09/23/1994]
Default [OA/ID 1,100,000]
[Operation Able Manner, Operation Able Vigil]
[09/09/1997 – 08/24/1999]
Box 2
Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System
NSC Cables
Jan 1993 – Dec 1994
[Operation Able Manner]
2011-1040-F
Clinton Presidential Library’s web site
http://www.clintonlibrary.gov
2
�Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System (continued)
[01/20/1993 – 03/31/1993] [OA/ID 505000]
[04/05/1993 – 08/05/1993] [OA/ID 505000]
[10/17/1993 – 12/30/1993] [OA/ID 505000]
[01/03/1994 – 03/29/1994] [OA/ID 505000]
[04/01/1994 – 05/27/1994] [OA/ID 505000]
[06/10/1994 – 08/31/1994] [OA/ID 505000]
Jan 1995 – Dec 1996
[Operation Able Manner]
[02/01/1995 – 04/08/1996] [OA/ID 510000]
NSC Emails
A1 – Record (Jan 93 – Sept 94)
[Operation Able Manner]
[03/25/1994 – 04/18/1994] [OA/ID 570000]
A1 – Non-Record (Apr 94 – Sept 94)
[Operation Able Manner]
[04/06/1994 – 04/14/1994] [OA/ID 580000]
NSC Records Management
[Operation Able Manner]
9303281 [OA/ID 148]
9401652 [OA/ID 186]
9405546 [OA/ID 204]
Last modified: 01/05/2012
2011-1040-F
Clinton Presidential Library’s web site
http://www.clintonlibrary.gov
3
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Finding Aids - Collection Descriptions & Inventories
Description
An account of the resource
Finding aids at the Clinton Presidential Library contain a detailed description of the collection including the total number of pages or photos and length of video and audio recordings. Finding aids also include background information of the collection’s topic and details on the record type (ex: email, memorandum, briefing book, Betacam video, audio cassette etc). <br /><br />Finding aids describe collections at the box and folder level, and include a folder title list and information about the arrangement of the collection. <br /><br /><strong>Please note the majority of collections have not yet been scanned nor made available online.</strong>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Operation Able Manner - Collection Finding Aid
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2011-1040-F
Description
An account of the resource
This collection consists of records regarding Operation Able Manner. Begun five days before the beginning of the Clinton Administration, the Coast Guard operation achieved the interdiction of over 25,000 Haitian migrants at sea, many of whom were taken to the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for processing. Operation Able Manner concluded in November 1994 after the return of President Aristide to Haiti. The records in this collection include cables, emails, and memoranda discussing the operation. See also, collection "Operation Safe Haven," FOIA 2011-1045-F.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
The topic of the resource
Emigration and immigration
Haiti
Haitians
Cuba
Cubans
Refugees
Refugee camps
Cuba--Guantánamo Bay Naval Base
Finding Aid
-
https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/files/original/f2d3dca4ed0303fe5b0afb8554953db0.pdf
1977bf01c2b0c40a30a49b6707854b4f
PDF Text
Text
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
AND TYPE
SUBJECT!TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
001. email
Dosnia Strong to Carol H. Rasco at 12:33:00.00. Subject: refugee
policy. (2 pages)
04/14/1994
P5
002. email
Dosnia Strong to Carol H. Rasco at 15:33:00.00. Subject:
nsc/haitians. (2 pages)
05/03/1994
P5
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Automated Records Management System [Email]
OPD ([Clinton and Haitian Refugee])
OA/Box Number: 250000
FOLDER TITLE:
[04/14/1994- 05/03/1994]
2011-1040-F
xx8
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act- 144 U.S.C. 2204(a)J
Freedom of Information Act- IS U.S.C. SS2(b)l
Pl National Security Classified Information J(a)(l) of the PRAI
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office J(a)(2) of the PRAJ
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute l(a)(3) of the PRAI
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
financial information l(a)(4) of the PRAI
PS Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
and his advisors, or between such advisors Ja)(S) of the PRAI
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy J(a)(6) of the PRAI
b(l) National security classified information l(b)(l) of the FOIAJ
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of .
an agency J(b)(2) of the FOIAI
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute l(b)(3) of the FOIAI
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
information l(b)(4) of the FOIAl
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy l(b)(6) of the FOIAI
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes J(b)(7) of the FOIAI
b(S) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
financial institutions l(b)(S) of the FOIAI
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
concerning wells l(b)(9) of the FOIAI
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
of gift.
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
2201(3).
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
�Page 1 of2
ARMS Email System
RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL.
CREATOR:
(RECONS~RUCTED
EMAIL)
Donsia Strong
STRONG D
(OPD)
CREATION DATE/TIME:14-APR-1994 12:33:00.00
SUBJECT:
refugee policy
TO:
Carol H. Rasco
READ: UNKNOWN ,
RASCO C
CC: Kathryn J. Way
READ: UNKNOWN
WAY K
(OPD)
(OPD)
TEXT:
Last week the USG had an incident off the coast of Bimini where the Coast Guard
intercepted a ship of Cubans being smuggled from the Bahamas. It was noteworthy
because contrary to our stated policy regarding a_lien smuggling, our practice
with Cubans has been different .. The USG has always brought all Cubans to Miami.
The Cuban National Foundation made a point of saying this was not a change in
policy and that they supported efforts against alien smuggling.
Since 1988, the
Cuban National Foundation has been allowed to bring Cubans here from third
countries by entering into Mem of Understanding w/DOJ/INS. In 1988 700 were
allowed, 1500 in 89, 3000 in 90; 1700 in 91, 850 in 92, 300 in 93. The
agreement usually says all Cubans who were in a third country by a certain date
are eligible for the program. Usually a small number are eligible, 6 or 7%, of
those interviewed are found to fit the definition of refugees.
The agreement further states the Cubans will not be a USG burden and will
receive no government funding.
In fact, in 1991, $1.75 million of HHS funding
had to go to the Foundation because the refugees were requesting welfare
benefits from the State of Florida and hospitalization at Jackson Memeorial, the
county hospital. HHS asserts there was never any monitori·ng of the funds to
serve 2000 people.
In exchange for holding the line in support of the USG policy against alien
smuggling the Foundation wants the MOU extended and the cutoff date moved until
12/93.
A number of domestic refugee policies as well as political considerations are
affected by this request:
1. Refugees are those fleeing persecution on. the basis of race, membership in a
particul·ar s_ocial group', religion, or political opinion.
Those ·looking for
better economic opportunities are economic migrants and not eligible for this
relief.
·
2. Refugees firmly resettled in third countries are not eligible for
resettlement in the US.
3. The USG prefers not to take in refugees where we have "in country"
processing.
The fact that we. are considering extending .the MOU has significantly raised the
stakes in terms of Haitian policy.
In every aspect the USG holds to its ppolicy
where Haitian refugees are concerned. By contrast, that is not the case for'
Cubans. This has not gone unnoticed by African American interests.or Haitian
advocates.
I have been told this can not continue and they are less likely to
continue their subdued opposition to our Haiti policy in the face of such
absolute unfairness. During Deval's swearing-in I was informed in no uncertain
terms that if the MOU is extended Randall Robinson will incorporate.a
condemnation of this MOU and its unfairness in a press conference as he
discusses his hunger strike.
In addition, there is an organized effort to raise
the opposition to our Haiti policy. On Tuesday, Harry Belafonte and other Holly
wood folks appeared on Donahue to discuss the policy, there will be a March of
about 1,000 on April 30, NAACP proposes a grassroots c
Clinton Library Photocopy
�ARMS Email System
Page 2 of2
,,
0
ampaign of its local
offices nationwide to fight the US policy beginning at. its July annual meeting,
and Congressman _Mazzoli is being urged to have a hearing to coincide with the
march.
WH Political is urging extention of the MOU, State is split, NSC is split (I
think), Public Liasion has concerns as well.
Personally, I think the policy
differences are indefensible.
Joe Velasquez and I spoke about the issue yesterday and urge a meeting of DPC,
NSC, Pub Liasion, and Political to provide guidance to the agencies.
Clinton Library Photocopy
�Pagel of2
ARMS Email System
RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (RECONSTRUCTED EMAIL)
CREATOR:
Donsia Strong
STRONG D
(OPD)
CREATION DATE/TIME:03-MAY-1994 15:33:00.00
SUBJECT:
nsc/haitians
TO: Carol H. Rasco
READ: UNKNOWN
RASCO C
(OPD)
TEXT:
PRINTER FONT 12_.:POINT_COURIER
May 3, 1994
TO:
CAROL H. RASCO
FROM:
DONSIA STRONG
SUBJECT:
REFUGEE POLICY
As you know, on April 21, a 65 ft vessel was interdicted
carrying 411 Haitian migrants. After an all night discussion the
decision was made to bring them to the U.S. While aliens are on
the high seas the issues surrounding return or release of
migrants is primarily a foreign policy decision with elements of
domestic and international politics commingled. However,
detention or release and government agency coordination of
potential refugees or asylees within the United States is clearly
a domestic policy issue.
For reasons that escape me, I can't get DOJ to understand
.that DPC has primary jurisdiction over domestic refugee issues.
(Although I strongly think personalities have a lot to do with
this.)
NSC staff readily agrees that DPC must be involved in
coordinating operations and made aware of the details of actual
operations. However, NSC has made very little effort to do
anything other than what their principals task them to do.
0
DRAFT
This morning I learned that the President, following a
decision_ memorandum prepared by the NSC, acceded to NSC's
recommendation to parole the 411 Haitian migrants interdicted off
the coast of Florida on April 21. While I am generally in
agreement with the carefully crafted plan for parole,
the
process for reaching this point gives me great concern. DPC must
have at least an equal role in determining what happens with
refugees being detained or released in the United States.
·
As last I recall, following our April 23, meeting in Sandy
Berger's office, DOJ/INS was to prepare an options paper
detailing their operations proposal concerning the disposition of
these migrants.. On April 27, my staff received a DOJ memorandum
to NSC dated April 26, detailing DOJ/INS' operations proposal.
Despite admonishments for full consultation about what is
essentially a domestic issue, DPC received no further information
regarding plans for this population until this morning.
DPC has an integral role ·for coordinating domestic policy.
Every element of the current operation has_ the ·potential -to
Clinton Library Photocopy
�Page 2 of2
ARMS Email System
impact domestic policy not to mention domestic politics.
Therefore, any future discussions or decisions concerning
detention, parole or resettlement site alternatives regarding
potential asylees should be fully coordinated with myself or DPC
staff.·
I am very concern that we adequately address the issue.of
too many refugees in a particular state. This has huge potential
for political concern and impacts on what we will do in the long
run on budget concerns including targeted assistance.
I happen
to know HHS/ORR is contemplating offering incentives to VOLAGS
who will send refugees to someplace other than the 6 most
populated.states and states who will take refugees.
It is
important that these efforts be continuously coordinated.
In addition, I would hate for the President to ask your
advise on an issue and you not be aware because I've not briefed
you.
I've prepared a draft memo to Berger or Gorelick.
It will
need some work but it gets the point across.
In addition, I
spoke to the Deputy INS Commissioner and told her it is very.
difficult to go to bat for them when we don't know what they are
facing.
They have agreed to closer cooperation.
\
Clinton Library Photocopy
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Previously Restricted Documents
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1993-2001
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This collection contains documents that were previously restricted under the <a href="http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws/1978-act.html" target="_blank">Presidential Records Act</a> for restrictions P2 (appointment to federal office) and/or P5 (confidential advice between the President and/or his advisors and between those advisors). For more information concerning these collections please see the collection finding aids index. The finding aids detail the scope, content, and provide a box and folder title list for each collection.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws/1978-act.html" target="_blank">Presidential Records Act (PRA)</a> includes provisions that these types of documents be withheld for twelve years after the end of a president's administration. These documents are now being made available to the public. The documents will be released in batches and will be uploaded here as they become available. The documents will also be available in the Clinton Library’s research room.</p>
<p>Please note the documents in this collection may not contain all the withheld documents listed on the collection's withdrawal sheet index.</p>
Publisher
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
397 folders
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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FOIA 2011-1040-F - Operation Able Manner
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2011-1040-F
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Previously Restricted Document Release no. 4
Format
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Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
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Reproduction-Reference