[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 154 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H10108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD NOT BLAME THE UNITED STATES FOR CASTRO'S 
                                FAILURES

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the United Nations once 
again voted to condemn the United States embargo on Cuba, demonstrating 
that when it comes to standing for freedom and human rights on the 
island, the United Nations members are on the side of the oppressor, 
rather than in support of the victims of the Castro dictatorship.
  The vote should come as no surprise, because for decades the U.N. has 
coddled the Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro. We must force Castro to lift 
the embargo that he has on freedom and democracy in Cuba. When will 
there be free elections? When will Cubans be free to express their 
opinions?
  A serious problem also is the Clinton administration's unwillingness 
to lobby our allies to support our Cuba policy. Unfortunately, the 
administration's inaction should be expected, given its refusal to 
enforce the Helms-Burton law, which was overwhelmingly approved by this 
body just 2 years ago. An embargo to support democracy for Haiti, an 
embargo to support democracy for South Africa, but when it comes to 
Cuba, the United Nations prefers to hypocritically flirt with Castro. 
Blame the United States for Castro's failure? Shame on the United 
Nations.

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