[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          TWO HISTORIC EVENTS

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor two historic events 
in the history of Cuba and its struggle for independence. Ninety-two 
years ago today the Cuban flag was raised for the first time over an 
independent Cuban nation. To commemorate this great event, Radio Marti 
broadcast its first words of freedom on May 20, 1985.
  These two events provide beacons of hope to the dedicated people of 
Cuba who continue to strive for democracy and the end to Fidel Castro's 
communist reign.
  The people of Cuba struggled for more than 25 years to gain their 
freedom from oppression on May 20, 1902. Unfortunately that struggle 
continues today as the valiant people of Cuba refuse to give up on the 
dream of democracy and prosperity. These people have lost their right 
of self-expression, their homes and land, and their loved ones, yet 
they haven't lost their yearning for freedom.
  On this anniversary we remember the first President of Cuba taking 
office, Thomas Estrada Palma, and we look forward to the next 
Presidents of Cuba assuming their rightful place. We must remain 
focused and engaged in our continued efforts to restore freedom to 
Cuba. We owe our resolve to those who have been imprisoned and tortured 
in Castro's jails for their unyielding belief in democracy.
  Castro continues to this day to attempt to crush the will of a people 
who refuse to lose their hope. We do them a terrible injustice if we 
give no less than our best efforts to end Castro's reign.
  I am more confident than ever that the sun is setting on the reign of 
Fidel Castro. He can no longer rely on Russian subsidies to bolster his 
failed vision. In a changing world where communism has proven a 
failure, Castro continues to cling to a failed belief. He is a 
political dinosaur in a new age.
  We cannot vacillate in our goals and the mechanisms for achieving 
those ends. We are in position today to continue to force Castro into 
Cuban history and the Cuban Democracy Act gives us a blueprint for the 
effective transition to do this.
  A major component of the Cuban Democracy Act is Radio Marti. Today 
also marks the ninth anniversary of this important tool in informing 
the Cuban people. Radio Marti's news of the fall of communism in 
Eastern Europe and Russia provided Cuba with a glimmer of hope that 
Castro's system would crumble as well. I support this voice of truth 
and the powerful message it continues to broadcast.
  Cuban history has taught us that the battle for freedom is only the 
first step on the difficult road toward democratic independence.
  Castro is waging an aggressive public relations campaign attempting 
to show his willingness to open up relations. I warn the world, do not 
be fooled by his cunning attempts to hold on to his totalitarian grip. 
He continues to use whatever tools necessary to maintain that grip, 
namely force and more recently political craftiness.
  Today's celebration is a day of regret but also a day of hope. As we 
celebrate Cuban Independence Day, we regret that the Cuban people still 
find themselves struggling for the basic rights of freedom and 
democracy.
  But on this day, we can once again be proud of a strong people who 
continue to cling to and die for the high ideals of democracy. Cubans 
remain true to the hope that one day their struggle will once again 
result in the liberty they so richly deserve.

                          ____________________