[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CUBAN SHOOT DOWN OF MIAMI-BASED CUBAN EXILE PLANES AND THE CUBAN 
   LIBERTY AND DEMOCRATIC SOLIDARITY--LIBERTAD--ACT CONFERENCE REPORT

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
conference report to H.R. 927, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
Solidarity Act--Libertad. As an original cosponsor of this legislation 
in the Senate, I have long believed that the United States should 
strengthen international sanctions against the dictatorial regime of 
Fidel Castro. I regret that it has taken the most recent outrageous 
behavior of the Cuban Government to convince the President of this.
  Fidel Castro was, is, and always will be a despot and a murderer who 
has no regard for human life and no respect for international law. The 
downing of 2 private planes and the killing of 4 civilians by Cuban 
military fighter aircraft reiterates this fact. It is imperative that 
Mr. Castro realize that the United States will not tolerate his 
tyranny. The passage of the Libertad Act will send this vitally 
important message.
  This legislation strengthens international sanctions against Cuba, 
provides support for a free and independent Cuba, protects the 
interests of American citizens whose property was confiscated by the 
Castro regime, and denies visas to individuals who traffic in 
confiscated property.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this vital 
legislation. President Clinton has agreed to sign this act into law. It 
is time that we send a strong bipartisan message to Fidel Castro.

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