[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2454-S2455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     UNITED STATES-CUBAN RELATIONS

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, yesterday, the chairman of the Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee, the Senator from North Carolina, 
introduced legislation on Cuba which, with all due respect to the 
chairman, I think is the wrong policy at the wrong time. In seeking to 
strengthen an already tight trade embargo, punish non-American 
investment in Cuba, and increase funding for TV Marti, this proposal 
puts United States policy toward Cuba on the wrong track. While I 
oppose strongly the totalitarian rule imposed by Cuban President Fidel 
Castro, I do not see any way that the island Nation of Cuba now poses a 
military or economic 
[[Page S2455]] threat to the United States which warrants such a new 
hostile policy.
  I have believed for some time that an expanded dialog with the Cuban 
Government is in the interest of the United States and Cuba. With the 
cold war over and little or no Soviet or Russian presence in Cuba, it 
simply does not make sense to completely ignore a country in our 
hemisphere because it is nondemocratic. Indeed, discussions and 
contacts on issues such as human rights, market economies, commercial 
relations, arms control, Caribbean affairs, the free flow of 
information, refugee affairs, and family visitation rights could 
actually help facilitate resolution of these complex problems and, I 
think, would do it, Mr. President, far better than nonengagement and 
isolation.
  We have ongoing discussions with other nondemocratic countries like 
Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and North Korea, and we recently opened a 
liaison office in Vietnam. Mr. President, we have even granted most-
favored-nation status to China, so it makes little sense to outlaw 
virtually any contact with Cuba.
  This proposal also threatens the United States effectiveness in 
international organizations by requiring the United States 
representatives to seek a United Nations embargo against Cuba and to 
oppose Cuban membership in international financial institutions. Mr. 
President, the United States has more important and pressing problems 
which require multilateral support and should not be required to pursue 
an outdated and misguided policy in an international forum.
  Finally, Mr. President, I am particularly amused by the support of 
the Senator from North Carolina for more money for TV Marti. This 
program has been documented time and time again as ineffective. 
Certainly in times of serious fiscal constraint TV Marti should be 
eliminated; it should not be enlarged. It is very ironic that during 
the debate on the balanced budget amendment, when we are all claiming 
we are going to identify more specific cuts and cut out the fat in 
Government, here is a proposal which exemplifies the waste that has 
helped jack up the Federal deficit in the first place.
  Mr. President, the chairman's proposal is provocative but it is 
unrealistic and shortsighted. I hope the administration will work with 
partners in the hemisphere to develop a multilateral strategy to 
promote democracy and human rights in Cuba and prepare for that day to 
which we all look forward, the transition of power in Cuba.
  I thank the Chair and I yield the floor.
  Mr. ROBB addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized 
to speak as if in morning business for not to exceed 4 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ROBB. I thank the Chair.

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