[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 8778-8786]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING SYSTEMATIC HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CUBA 
                       COMMITTED BY CASTRO REGIME

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 179) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding the systematic human rights violations in 
Cuba committed by the Castro regime, calling for the immediate release 
of all political prisoners, and supporting respect for basic human 
rights and free elections in Cuba.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 179

       Whereas the Cuban Government continues to repress all 
     peaceful attempts by the Cuban people to bring democratic 
     change to the island by denying universally recognized 
     liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, 
     association, movement and of the press;
       Whereas on March 9, 2003, many of Cuba's prominent 
     dissidents issued a statement titled ``Joint Statement'' to 
     the European Union, wherein they reaffirmed their view of the 
     Cuban Government's ``total vocation to immobility and its 
     refusal to respect internationally recognized human rights or 
     accept the existence of legitimate political opposition'' and 
     further stated that ``in recent times the Cuban Government 
     has intensified its political and social repression'';
       Whereas commencing on March 17, 2003, the Cuban Government 
     carried out a massive, island wide crackdown on members of 
     Cuba's pro-democracy movement, which included the arrest of 
     over 80 dissidents, among them many who signed the ``Joint 
     Statement'', activists of the Assembly to Promote Civil 
     Society, promoters of the Varela Project, independent 
     journalists, and numerous members of Cuba's nascent 
     independent civil society;
       Whereas the Cuban Government arbitrarily searched the homes 
     and confiscated personal items belonging to pro-democracy 
     activists;
       Whereas independent journalists were among those 
     incarcerated in this massive crackdown, including Raul 
     Rivero, known as the dean of the dissident independent 
     journalists in Cuba;
       Whereas independent librarians, who make their homes 
     available so that the Cuban population may have access to 
     publications otherwise censored by the Cuban Government, also 
     became victims of repression, as many were arrested, their 
     homes ransacked and searched, and publications and other 
     belongings confiscated;
       Whereas Marta Beatriz Roque, and other leaders of the 
     ``Assembly to Promote Civil Society'', an islandwide movement 
     seeking to coordinate the various sectors of Cuba's nascent 
     independent civil society who work for a democratic 
     transition, were incarcerated and face lengthy sentences, 
     including life sentences;
       Whereas activists who have collected or signed petitions 
     for the Varela Project were also incarcerated in this 
     crackdown and may also face life sentences;
       Whereas more than 80 pro-democracy leaders who work for a 
     peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba have been 
     incarcerated and sentenced under ``Law 88'' and ``Law 91'', 
     two draconian totalitarian laws that call for long sentences 
     of 10, 15, or 20 years, or life imprisonment, or even death 
     for pro-democracy activity;
       Whereas there is concern for the well-being and safety for 
     all of Cuba's political prisoners, particularly Juan Carlos 
     Gonzalez Leyva, who is a blind human rights activist 
     incarcerated since March of 2002 without being formally 
     charged, and Leonardo Bruzon Avila, who has been denied 
     medical attention according to Amnesty International, despite 
     the effects of a prolonged hunger strike while in prison.;
       Whereas a plea for solidarity was made from within the 
     notoriously harsh prison in Cuba known as ``Combinado del 
     Este'' and signed by 21 political prisoners, among them Dr. 
     Oscar Elias Biscet, Francisco Chaviano, Rafael Ibarra, and 
     Jorge Luis Garcia Perez ``Antunez'' to the member states of 
     the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights 
     Commission;
       Whereas the Cuban Government has carried out ``summary 
     trials'' to expeditiously sentence pro-democracy leaders to 
     try to intimidate and silence other pro-democracy activists 
     on the island, while world attention is primarily focused on 
     Iraq;
       Whereas the Castro regime has engaged in mass arrests of 
     dissidents while the United Nations Commission on Human 
     Rights, of which Cuba is a member, is meeting in Geneva;
       Whereas certain member countries of the Latin American and 
     Caribbean group (GRULAC) at the United Nations Commission on 
     Human Rights are currently drafting a resolution on the 
     violations of human rights by the Cuban Government;
       Whereas the Cuban Government has repeatedly violated the 
     rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human 
     Rights, the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights, and 
     other international and regional human rights agreements, and 
     has violated the mandates issued by the United Nations 
     Commission on Human Rights;
       Whereas foreign diplomats and members of the international 
     press have been barred by the Cuban Government from being 
     present at the ``summary trials''; and
       Whereas pro-democracy leaders on the island have come 
     together to call for the immediate release of all Cuban 
     political prisoners, and are requesting international 
     solidarity with the internal opposition, as reflected in a 
     March 31, 2003, statement signed by some of the most 
     prominent dissidents on the island: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the brutal crackdown of the Cuban Government 
     on the island's peaceful pro-democracy movement;
       (2) calls for the immediate release of all Cuban political 
     prisoners;
       (3) supports the right of the Cuban people to exercise 
     fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom 
     of expression, assembly, association, movement, press, and 
     the right to multiparty elections;
       (4) calls on the United States Permanent Representative to 
     the United Nations and other International Organizations in 
     Geneva, Switzerland, to work with the member countries of the 
     United Nations Commission on Human Rights to ensure a 
     resolution that includes the strongest possible condemnation 
     of the current crackdown of dissidents and of the gross human 
     rights violations committed by the Cuban Government; and
       (5) calls on the Latin American and Caribbean group 
     (GRULAC) at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to 
     exclude Cuba from its slate of candidates for the United 
     Nations Commission on Human Rights and urges all member 
     nations to oppose renewing Cuba's membership on the United 
     Nations Commission on Human Rights until the Government of 
     Cuba adheres to international human rights standards, such as 
     those delineated in the Universal Declaration of Human 
     Rights.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.

[[Page 8779]]


  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Nobel peace laureate Eli Wiesel has said: ``. . . to remain silent 
and indifferent is the greatest sin of all . . .''
  Indifference breeds evil. Indifference is the enemy of freedom. 
Indifference helps cloak the deplorable actions of tyrants.
  Cuba's ruthless dictator counts on this indifference. Taking 
advantage of global attention being focused on Iraq and noting the 
worldwide tendency to ignore or minimize the deplorable human rights 
condition in Cuba, the Castro regime has launched a full-scale assault 
on those who are struggling to bring freedom and democracy to this 
enslaved nation. Courageous men and women such as Marta Beatriz Roque, 
an independent economist and leading pro-democracy advocate, are being 
sentenced to harsh prison terms of 20 years. Marta Beatriz had 
previously spent nearly 3 years in prison for publishing, along with 
three other colleagues, a paper calling for democratic reforms. 
Independent journalists such as Raul Rivero, who is highlighted in the 
resolution before us, as the dean of the independent dissident Cuban 
journalists, was sentenced to 20 years. Fellow journalists such as 
Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso and Hector Maseda Gutierrez also received 20-
year sentences.
  Other victims of this wave of repression include Jose Daniel Ferrer, 
a member of the Christian Liberation Movement, whose penalty was 
increased to death per a special request by the puppet whom the regime 
has as the presiding judge. There is also independent union labor 
leader Oscar Espinosa Chepe, and Manuel Vazquez Portal, Nelson Molinet 
Espino and Nelson Alberto Aguiar.
  I enter into the Record their names and their sentences.


                             Pinar del Rio

       Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, Periodista Independiente--
     Life in prison.
       Horacio Julio Pina Borrego, Periodista Independiente--12 
     years.
       Eduardo Diaz Fleitas, opositor--15 years.
       Fidel Suarez Cruz, opositor--12 years.


                             Ciudad Habana

       Raul Rivero Castaneda, Periodista Independiente--Life in 
     prison.
       Jorge Olivera Castillo, Periodista Independiente--Life in 
     prison.
       Ricardo Gonzales Alfonso, Periodista Independiente--Life in 
     prison.
       Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Periodista Independiente--Life in 
     prison.
       Manuel Vazquez Portal, Periodista Independiente--16 years.
       Osvaldo Alfonso Valdez, opositor--Life in prison.
       Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, opositor--Life in prison.
       Hector Palacio Ruiz, opositor--Life in prison.


                               La Habana

       Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Periodista Independiente--Life in 
     prison.
       Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, Periodista Independiente--
     20 years.
       Hector Raul Valle Hernandez, opositor--15 years.


                              Villa Clara

       Librado Linares Garcia, Periodista Independiente--20 years.
       Lester Gonzalez Penton, Periodista Independiente--20 years.
       Omar Ruiz Hernandez, Periodista Independiente--18 years.
       Margarito Broche Espinosa, opositor--25 years.
       Omar Pernet Hernandez, opositor--25 years.


                              Isla de Pino

       Favio Prieto Llorente, Periodista Independiente--20 years.

  The list seems endless as the daunting reality of what the 
dictatorship has done sinks into our consciousness. Since March 18, Mr. 
Speaker, Castro's security agents have been storming into the homes of 
dissidents and other opposition leaders across the island, confiscating 
typewriters, books, papers, and other professional and personal 
belongings. And what have been their so-called crimes? Engaging in such 
``threatening'' activities such as possessing and lending books by 
authors such as Vaclac Havel, Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Hector 
Palacios Ruiz, for example, was engaged in such ``treasonous'' 
behavior, to quote the regime, as helping to draft the document in 
December of last year which called for ``free hiring of employees.'' He 
was also found in possession of books such as ``Castro's Final Hours'' 
and ``A Manual for Education in Human Rights'' as well as children's 
games.
  Every day more and more opposition leaders are sentenced to languish 
in squalid jail cells and subjected to the most inhumane and degrading 
treatment. We cannot and must not be silent. We cannot and must not be 
indifferent to the anguish and misery endured by the Cuban people just 
90 miles off our shores at the hands of the depraved and cruel dictator 
and his agents of terror.
  The European Union has issued statements condemning the arrests and 
demanding that these prisoners of conscience be immediately released. 
Amnesty International urged Cuba to release all of its prisoners of 
conscience and reform the laws which make such detentions possible. 
Human Rights Watch called on the United Nations Commission on Human 
Rights to condemn these abuses and do so strongly and unequivocally. 
Human Rights International, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, 
and the Inter-American Press Association have all denounced this 
incredible Stalinist crackdown. Newspapers such as the Houston 
Chronicle, the San Diego Union Tribune, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
have run editorials with headlines underscoring that: ``Saddam and 
Fidel are Birds of a Feather''; ``Crackdown in Cuba: A Reminder that 
Castro is Still a Tyrant''; and ``Castro's Regime as Repressive as 
Ever.''
  The Los Angeles Times led its editorials by saying: ``After years of 
calling for liberalized relations with Cuba, this editorial page must 
now urge American policymakers to hit the brakes.''
  Just today the Washington Post ran an editorial by Richard Cohen 
which said: ``I would like to hear some moral outrage about Castro . . 
. Fidel Castro is a thug and a fool.''
  But it is our turn now to speak. It is our time for the U.S. Congress 
to stand behind the Cuban people, side by side, as it has done for so 
many times before and is so doing with the Iraqi people.
  This resolution is a strong first step. House Resolution 179 details 
the sequence of events which have transpired in recent weeks and places 
particular emphasis on the plight of these political prisoners such as 
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leyva, a blind human rights dissident imprisoned 
for over a year who is gravely ill and has yet to receive medical 
attention.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
and rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank my friend, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), for expediting consideration of this 
resolution; and I want to congratulate my good friend, the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), for her powerful and eloquent 
statement and for her leadership on this resolution, as well as my 
colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) and the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. Speaker, after several years of masquerading as a liberalizing 
regime, the brutal and deplorable nature of Fidel Castro's sickening 
communist state has manifested itself once again.
  In the last couple of weeks, Castro's thugs have arrested and 
detained approximately 80 Cubans. Their crime? They sought to express 
their disagreement with their government, provide an independent media 
voice, stock their shelves with banned literature that reports the 
interests of independent labor, and otherwise improve the lot of their 
fellow citizens.
  Among those arrested, Mr. Speaker, were prominent political 
dissidents, such as Marta Beatriz Roque; independent journalists, such 
as Raul Rivero and Ricardo Gonzalez; independent labor advocates, like 
Pedro Pablo Alvarez; and civil society activists, such as Antonio Diaz 
Sanchez of the Varela Project.
  The Castro regime intends to place these and other individuals on 
trial in

[[Page 8780]]

what have been called kangaroo courts for allegedly collaborating with 
the United States to harm Cuba and its economy.
  Just yesterday, a sham court sentenced Marta Beatriz Roque, Antonio 
Diaz Sanchez and Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, among others, to 20 years in 
prison for ``acts of conspiracy.'' Neither representatives of the 
diplomatic corps nor the international press were permitted to witness 
the summary trials, which does not surprise those of us who have 
experienced the tactics of the Gestapo in Hitler's time and the KGB 
under Stalin. Fidel Castro is a worthy follower of both of these 
outrageous dictators.
  Not only are the trumped-up charges against these political 
dissidents indefensible; Castro and his henchmen are convicting 
individuals for practicing their profession and exercising their 
fundamental political and civil liberties.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, our resolution calls upon the international 
community to recognize these outrageous violations of human rights and 
to exclude Cuba from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 
after its term expires at the end of this year.
  Mr. Speaker, while Castro and his henchmen seem intent to break the 
backs of many political dissidents and their growing organizations in a 
manner not seen since the 1960s, the regime has concentrated much of 
its fury against the Varela Project. Founded and led by Oswaldo Paya, 
the Varela Project asks Cubans to sign a petition calling for a 
referendum on open elections, freedom of speech, freedom for political 
prisoners, and free enterprise. Despite gigantic risks, over 30,000 
courageous Cubans have penned their names to the petition in the hope 
for change.
  Mr. Speaker, we have had many contentious disagreements, both in 
committee and on this floor, on how best to bring about change in Cuba; 
but today this body stands united in solidarity with those who endure 
torture, incarceration, and deprivation of all types because they dare 
to strive for freedom.
  We stand together in strong condemnation of these cowardly arrests 
and the outrageous prosecution and persecution of those 80 individuals, 
and we demand their immediate release and the release of all political 
prisoners in Castro's jails. We stand together in our conviction that, 
despite the Castro regime, democracy will prevail in Cuba.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the 
gentlewoman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to also thank the gentleman from Illinois 
(Chairman Hyde) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman 
Ballenger), as well as the ranking members, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Menendez), for expediting this important resolution. It is important it 
be considered today because the dictatorship is in the midst of a 
brutal crackdown on the peaceful pro-democracy movement in Cuba.
  Since the world's attention has been focused on Iraq for some weeks, 
the Cuban tyrant decided to crack down on the peaceful pro-democracy 
movement, including independent librarians, independent journalists, 
independent physicians, and many others; rounded them up and has thrown 
them in dungeons.
  Some of the so-called summary trials have already taken place. 
Perhaps the best known independent journalist in Cuba, Raul Rivero, was 
already sentenced in one of those sham Roman circus trials, sentenced 
for having a typewriter, for having some articles published. For having 
articles published in Spain and in the United States and for other such 
``crimes,'' Raul Rivero has been sentenced to 20 years.
  Marta Beatriz Roque, mentioned by the distinguished gentleman from 
California, perhaps one of the best known of the political prisoners 
rounded up in this totalitarian crackdown, was sentenced to 20 years. 
Her indictment makes interesting reading, if it can be called an 
indictment.
  The dictatorship charged her with having created a Web page, with 
having a computer in her home, with utilizing a server in the United 
States for her Web page, for having spoken on Radio Marti, for having 
published articles in an independent publication known as 
``Encuentro,'' for having in her possession in her home a fax machine 
of the mark Panasonic, and for having a copy machine, a Canon copy 
machine.
  That is in the so-called indictment in the year 2003, in this 
hemisphere, by the Cuban tyrant, the indictment prepared by the Cuban 
tyrant of Marta Beatriz Roque, who has been sentenced to 20 years.
  I think that much of the responsibility for what is going on in Cuba 
today, unfortunately, lies with the fact that the international media 
does not report sufficiently with regard to what happens in Cuba.
  A distinguished new colleague of ours recently actually told me she 
had witnessed a Special Order that we did precisely on this crackdown, 
a number of us last week, the distinguished new gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). She asked me, ``Where can we read 
about what is going on? Why don't we read in our major newspapers about 
the details of this totalitarian brutal crackdown in a country 90 miles 
away?'' I think she has a very legitimate point. I think the media has 
a responsibility to report about such things in a neighboring country 
90 miles away.
  So today is the day, Mr. Speaker, when we need to as a Congress of 
the United States set our differences aside and concentrate on the 
brutal totalitarian crackdown that is taking place in Cuba and speak 
with one voice that this Congress, as it has so many times in the past, 
stands for human rights and demands human rights, starting with the 
cessation of the brutal crackdown being perpetrated on the Cuban 
people. And as the resolution continues to state, we call for the 
respect of all elemental human rights, including the right of self-
determination, which can be manifested only through free and fair 
multiparty elections.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to my 
good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the ranking 
member on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, the chairman of 
the Democratic Caucus and an indefatigable fighter for freedom in Cuba.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for 
yielding me time and for his statement before as well.
  Mr. Speaker, where is the outrage? Where is the outrage regarding the 
latest barbarity from the dictatorship of Fidel Castro?
  Where is the outrage that a blind dissident, Juan Carlos Gonzalez 
Leiva, is detained in the harshest of political prisons and that the 
Castro regime denies him his needed medication; that Leonardo Bruzon, 
an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience who suffers from the 
ill-effects of a hunger strike, is denied needed medical attention?
  Where is the outrage, that three of the four brave authors of the 
pro-democracy essay, ``La Patria Es De Todos,'' the nation belongs to 
everyone, Marta Beatriz Roque, Rene Gomez Manzano and Felix Bonne, have 
been mercilessly thrown in jail and face sentences ranging from 20 
years to life?
  Ms. Roque, who had the audacity to call herself an independent 
economist and criticized Cuba's economy, has already been sentenced to 
20 years. The fourth author, the Afro-Cuban leader, Dr. Oscar Elias 
Biscet, who already served 3 years for displaying national flags upside 
down in an act of civil disobedience, will also be sentenced. His three 
colleagues having the audacity to fast peacefully to protest his 
detention.
  Where is the outrage, that the independent journalists movement in 
Cuba, led by journalist and poet Raul Rivero, have been rounded up, had 
their houses ransacked by state security thugs, and their professional 
personal belongings taken from them?

[[Page 8781]]

  We learned this morning that Raul Rivero was sentenced to 20 years. 
Among the dangerous materials that Rivero possessed was a collection of 
Martin Luther King's speeches autographed by former President Jimmy 
Carter on his recent trip to the island.

                              {time}  1500

  It was taken as evidence of subversive thought.
  Where is the outrage, that those who gathered the signatures of 
30,000 brave men and women who, much like our Founding Fathers, with 
the stroke of a pen, had the courage to peacefully demand a referendum 
calling for democratic changes, were unceremoniously rounded up and are 
being sentenced in show trials reminiscent of Hitler and Stalin?
  Where is the outrage that independent union activists have been 
rounded up, that this crackdown occurs when the U.N. Human Rights 
Commission meets in its annual session in Geneva? The Castro 
dictatorship's membership of that commission is itself a mockery and a 
travesty.
  The show trials have begun, with the same coerced confessions and the 
same betrayal of dissident organizations by Castro's security agents 
who infiltrated these groups.
  And what are the verdicts? Guilty. Guilty of criminal association. 
Guilty of enemy propaganda. Guilty of dangerousness. Guilty of contempt 
for authority, of resisting authority. Guilty of seeking democracy and 
a respect for human rights. That is Castro's socialism.
  So far, 47 peaceful dissidents have been sentenced to between 12 and 
27 years in prison in what the State Department calls ``Kangaroo 
courts'' that began proceedings last Thursday.
  Let me just mention a few of those sentenced.
  Omar Rodriguez Saludes, an independent journalist known to ride his 
bicycle to news conferences with a camera dangling by a strap from his 
neck: 27 years, the hardest sentence so far. Hector Palacios, one of 
the key figures promoting the Varela Project: 25 years. Oscar Espinosa 
Chepe, who wrote critical articles about the Cuban economy for the 
Internet: 25 years. Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Raul Rivero's editor at 
``De Cuba'' magazine: 20 years.
  And it goes on and on.
  So to all who go sip wine with Castro, smoke his cigars and are 
regaled by his soliloquies, where is the outrage?
  Mr. Speaker, the expression of international outrage has begun from 
European governments to Jimmy Carter to the AFL-CIO. May we all raise 
our voices to join the growing chorus of outrage and condemnation of 
this dictatorship heard around the world, heard everywhere, except for 
these hallowed halls. May this Congress not sit silent now as the show 
trials proceed. May this Congress stand in solidarity with those 
dissidents and human rights activists who heeded Pope John Paul's words 
during his visit to Cuba: ``Do not be afraid.'' ``Do not be afraid.''
  Let us in this bastion of democracy also not be afraid to vote for 
this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to explain 
what this bill actually does. I have had some Members ask.
  House Resolution 179 establishes the nexus which exists between the 
current wave of repression and the 59th session of the United Nations 
Commission on Human Rights which is currently being held in Geneva. And 
in doing so, it takes into account the dictatorship's systematic and 
gross human rights violations and its repeated demonstrations of 
contempt for the mandates issued by the U.N. Commission on Human 
Rights.
  Further, it calls for a resolution to be offered and passed at the 
Human Rights Commission, which accurately reflects this grim reality. 
It seizes the opportunity which presents itself in May of this year 
when Cuba's membership on the commission expires. It does so by calling 
on the Nation of Latin America and the Caribbean group to oppose and 
deny the regime a seat on this human rights body. More importantly, 
this resolution calls for the immediate release of all Cuban prisoners 
of conscience. It sends a strong, definitive message that the United 
States Congress stands with the dissidents, the independent 
journalists, and all pro-democracy activists, and not with their 
oppressor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the distinguished ranking member 
of the Committee on Ways and Means, and an indefatigable fighter for 
human rights across the globe.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation 
without any hesitation.
  Most all Americans, and certainly those in this House, are strong 
advocates for democracy all over the world, and we had hoped that the 
seeds of democracy would have grown in Cuba. Many of us have taken 
different approaches how we would want to do this, but one thing is 
abundantly clear: It has taken too long for Castro to recognize the 
importance of open elections and, certainly, no Americans can find any 
justification of the wanton and massive arrests of people, many of whom 
were advocates of normalization, all of whom were advocates of 
democracy, to have been arrested with closed and secret trials and 
without any evidence that their conduct was a threat to the security of 
the people in Cuba.
  While we also are reminded that some of us are old enough to have 
supported the July 26 resolution against Batista and recognize that we 
do not want those days ever to return, still we are not satisfied with 
the progress that has been made in terms of moving toward democracy, 
and it is hard for us to believe that the Cuban Government wants us to 
believe that these people were arrested because they were involved in a 
conspiracy with the United States of America to overthrow their 
government. If they truly believe that the United States intended to 
overthrow their government, they should have exercised their right to 
have kicked out the chief of the U.S. Interests Section there, and then 
not to hold their people hostage and subject to the painful sentences 
that have been imposed upon them.
  I join in urging the Cuban Government to release these people, to 
open up these courthouses, and to whatever complaints they have about 
the conduct of any Americans that are in Cuba, to let the whole world 
see it. But I am glad to stand with my colleagues and ask for an 
immediate response to the call of this House, and that is to release 
the prisoners forthwith.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by my 
colleague, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart condemning the actions of 
the government of Cuba in violation of the rights of its citizens. It 
is not the resolution that I would have drafted, but it comes close 
enough in reflecting my objections to these actions.
  Representatives of the Cuban government want us to believe that their 
actions in arresting and prosecuting Cuban citizens were based on 
evidence of their involvement in a conspiracy with the United States to 
overthrow their government. The Cuban citizens being prosecuted--many 
of them journalists and advocates of open elections and supporters of 
normalization of relations with the United States--allegedly consorted 
with the Chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana in this 
conspiracy at private meetings, including visits to each others' homes.
  The so-called evidence is that the United States government provided 
the Cuban activists with millions of dollars with which to carry out 
the conspiracy and that these Cuban citizens, therefore, were in 
violation of Cuban law.
  It is hard to believe that the Cuban government feels so insecure 
that these mass arrests had to be carried out, that the trials had to 
be held in secret, without any evidence exposed to the Cuban people or 
to the international community, or that the God-given right of Cuban 
citizens would be so violated. It is even harder to believe that if 
this conspiracy theory held water, the person who was at the center of 
the conspiracy--the Chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana--
would be allowed to remain in Cuba.
  Hardly anyone could disagree that Castro-led revolution of 1959 had 
improved the lives of the great majority of Cuban citizens. But we've 
waited too long for the revolution to take

[[Page 8782]]

the next step in offering true democracy to all Cubans. Some Americans 
believe that the best way to bring democracy to Cuba is a policy of 
embargo, cutting off all food, medicines, travel, trade and social and 
family contacts.
  Some of us believe that--as with other communist countries, such as 
China and North Vietnam--a better way is to tear down barriers and 
allow the Cuban people to see the benefits of democracy. In my view, 
such a policy of engagement is far better than the use of propaganda 
and the distribution of radios and pamphlets. U.S. citizens are the 
most effective ambassadors of democracy.
  Despite the ability of supporters the embargo to sustain that failed 
policy for over 40 years, there has been a great deal of progress in 
the movement toward normalization of relations between our countries. 
Just as in February 1996, when the Cuban government shot down two 
unarmed private aircraft piloted by Cuban-Americans based in Miami, 
this time there was no threat to the security of the Cuban government. 
Just as the shooting incident set back the development of our 
relationship for several years, that unwarranted violation of the 
rights of ordinary Cubans, in my humble opinion, has further set back 
the efforts of the Cuban and American people to move toward democracy 
and free trade.
  For 30 years, I have been part of a sometimes unpopular effort to 
improve relations between our countries. I would be less than honest if 
I did not say now that the response of the Cuban government to concerns 
raised from many quarters has been less than adequate. I will continue 
to support any effort by our two countries to improve that 
relationship, but I cannot support this action taken by the Cuban 
government. Indeed, I am forced to condemn it.
  I know that this view is shared by many of my colleagues, and I hope 
that the Cuban government will seek ways to undo this unfortunate 
setback to relations between our countries.
  I hope that they will reconsider this action against people who were 
seeking to demonstrate their political differences with their 
government. I hope that the government will take the most drastic 
action for any government to take, to reverse itself and release the 
prisoners.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York 
for his statement of support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. Flake), a member of our Committee on International 
Relations
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time, and I thank the gentlewoman and the gentleman from Florida for 
authoring this important resolution. It is important to all of us.
  For those of us who have followed the situation in Cuba, we have been 
saddened and sickened by the events that have happened over the last 
month, although I do not believe any of us have been surprised. This 
latest crackdown typifies the last 43 years now that Fidel Castro has 
been in power. It is all too typical.
  Let us look at what is going on here. I had the opportunity to be in 
Cuba just less than a month ago and we met with several of the 
dissidents at that time. Hector Palacios, director of the Independent 
Center for Social Studies and the key organizer of the Varela Project, 
was just sentenced to 25 years. Oswaldo Alfonsa, also an organizer for 
the Varela Project, 18 years. Oscar Espinosa Chepe, an economist, 
former diplomat and independent journalist, 20 years.
  As the gentleman from New York noted, I do not think anybody, 
anybody, believes that these people are guilty of the crimes that they 
have been charged with. They are simply guilty of voicing ideas and 
ideas that this regime is too afraid of.
  This resolution is important because it allows us to let people 
across the country and across the world, and particularly those who sit 
on boards and commissions of the United Nations, to understand that a 
regime like this does not deserve to sit in judgment of others on human 
rights after what is going on right now, and after a record like this.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 6 minutes to the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), one of the leaders on the 
House Committee on International Relations, and our acknowledged expert 
on Latin America.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  As others have stated, this for me, too, is a day of disappointment 
and sadness, profound sadness, of human rights violated, and of 
diplomatic opportunities squandered. As a sovereign nation, only Cuba 
can decide how to attend to its own national security. But over the 
last 3 weeks, decisions have been made in Havana that seriously 
undermine efforts to normalize relationships with the United States.
  I come to the floor today as part of a group, the so-called Cuba 
Working Group. It is bipartisan in nature, 25 Republicans, 25 
Democrats. We have spent considerable time and effort to tear the wall 
down that has divided our people for some 40 years. This has put us at 
odds with the White House. It has put us at odds with many of our 
colleagues that are sitting here today. But we are not at odds today.
  At this moment, we stand together. In the past I have called on 
President Bush to lift the U.S. restrictions on travel by Americans to 
Cuba, to let our people go. Well, today, I call on President Fidel 
Castro to let his people go.
  For me, this issue is more than political, it is personal, because 
some of those who have been arrested are my friends. I want to speak 
about 2 of them. My colleagues have heard their names here. Hector 
Palacios, a Varela Project organizer, and Oscar Chepe, an independent 
journalist. Their arrests and convictions pain me more than anyone in 
this Chamber can comprehend. They are men of exceptional character and 
integrity who seek peaceful change. They are not agents of violence or 
insurrection. Far from it. They acknowledge Cuba's advances in health 
and education brought about by the revolution, and they want to 
accelerate that progress in other areas, so they work through modest, 
small, yet courageous acts within the Cuban Constitution. They create 
and have made every effort to create political space.
  Hector's apartment houses one of the first so-called independent 
libraries in Cuba, a few shelves devoted to old medical encyclopedias 
and geography texts, some children's books donated by members of my 
office. But when Hector was arrested, these books were taken away. 
Doctor Seuss is not a threat to the Cuban revolution.
  During our visits, we talk about how to hasten a climate of mutual 
respect between the people of our 2 countries, between our governments. 
Ironically, they argued persuasively for an end to the embargo and 
travel restrictions on Americans to Cuba. Let me quote from Oscar 
Chepe, who presently is incarcerated for 20 years in a Cuban jail. This 
is his quote. These are his words: ``Experience demonstrates that 
isolation breathes life into totalitarianism. On the other hand, 
contact between peoples free individuals from falsehoods and from the 
lives without dignity that they are forced to lead.''
  As the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) indicated, we are told 
that these arrests had nothing to do with the content of their words. 
Rather, they are intended to send a message to the United States in 
response to a perceived pattern of illegal provocations from our own 
State Department.
  Well, I submit that the message we have received is very different 
and deeply disturbing. It is that diversity of thought is not welcome 
in Cuba, even at the expense of jeopardizing progress toward 
normalization. How else can we explain 20- and 25-year sentences for 
Hector and Oscar and dozens of others after only cursory consultations 
with their lawyers and quick trials, closed to the public, foreign 
diplomats, and the international media.
  It is inconceivable, if one knows these men, that they were 
conspiring with the United States. Like dozens of other detainees, they 
were working in behalf of the Cuban people. Nobody else. They posed no 
threat to the Cuban Government.
  As I said, I disagree with some of my colleagues in Cuba. For 
example, I have chosen to travel there, to visit with people like 
Hector Palacios and Oscar Chepe. And unlike my friends

[[Page 8783]]

from Florida, some of my friends, I oppose U.S. policies which prevent 
ordinary Americans from offering the same solidarity to those seeking 
change in our relationship with Cuba, a relationship that has been 
stated so eloquently by another prominent Cuban dissident who was 
recently released from serving 5 years in a Cuban jail. His name is 
Vladimiro Roca, and he said that the relationship ought to be 
characterized by dialogue, negotiation, and reconciliation. Again, 
those are his words.

                              {time}  1515

  But that is a debate for another day. I might have written this 
resolution somewhat differently, but I commend my colleagues for 
bringing it to the floor of the House; and I urge my colleagues all of 
my colleagues to support it; and I ask the Cuban Government to release 
these people.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the distinguished majority whip.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to rise in support of this 
resolution and in opposition to the deplorable behavior we see in Cuba 
today as evidenced by these so-called desires. That people whose only 
desire is freedom would be swooped up in these kinds of numbers and 
brought to trial at a time when it is clear in the mind of the dictator 
that we are looking at other things, shows just how wrong he is.
  Once again this regime is showing its true colors. These actions 
continue to be proof of Castro's horrific record of repression, that no 
matter how much we argue and no matter which side we are on in other 
debates, people agree on this floor today, it continues to be the kind 
of commitment that Castro makes to his people, a commitment to repress 
them.
  The Castro regime has chosen this particular time because they 
thought we were looking elsewhere. We show on the House floor today 
that we are not looking elsewhere, that we continue to look at Cuba, we 
continue to hope for the liberation of Cuba, we continue to hope for 
the greater freedom for the Cuban people. The civilized world cannot 
stand quietly by and tolerate these terrible abuses of individual 
rights. As we try to bring freedom to another country, we have to 
continue to stand for freedom in this hemisphere. And today we join the 
President of the United States, the European Union, and many others, 
including the Catholic Church, who have condemned these actions.
  I urge the huge vote on this resolution as we send an important 
message to Castro.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that each side may 
have an additional 10 minutes so all of our colleagues may be heard.
  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I object.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). An objection is heard.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to request my colleague to 
reconsider his objection. This is a matter of great principle. Several 
colleagues would like to speak on this subject, and I think it is 
singularly unfair to deny them the opportunity to do so.
  Mr. MURTHA. I object, Mr. Speaker.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that each side 
be granted an additional 5 minutes.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, would my friend agree to 5 minutes on each 
side?
  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my objection. I will agree to 5 
minutes each side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. There is a unanimous consent for 5 
additional minutes for each side.
  Hearing no objection, each side is granted an additional 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
now has 6 minutes remaining.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. All voices must 
condemn the recent crackdown by the Government of Cuba against 
political dissent. Those arrested include two dozen independent 
journalists, leaders of independent trade unions and opposition 
political parties, and pro-democracy activists involved in the 
countrywide reform effort known as the Varela project.
  It makes no difference whether you are for or against change in U.S. 
policy towards Cuba. On this matter we speak with one voice. These 
arrests are unacceptable. The summary trials and harsh sentences merit 
universal condemnation.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of traveling to Cuba many times 
and have met directly with Cuban independent journalists and members of 
the dissident community. Many of these individuals were arrested in the 
latest crackdown. They are receiving harsh sentences for actions we 
take for granted here in the United States: the right to hold meetings, 
have discussions, and express opinions different from those held by our 
government.
  The Cuban Government has said that these arrests are in response to 
actions by U.S. Ambassador Cason and the U.S. Interests Section that 
are perceived as deliberate attempts to foment subversion in Cuba.
  Mr. Speaker, those grievances should be raised and resolved between 
the two governments, but no action of the United States Interests 
Section justifies in any way these recent arrests. The right of 
diplomats to meet with people who represent a range of views, including 
people who peaceably dissent from the policies and priorities of their 
own governments, should not be impeded. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I believe 
the restrictions on U.S. diplomats in Cuba and Cuban diplomats in the 
United States are just plain wrong.
  Mr. Speaker, I am seriously concerned about the increased tensions 
and hardening of positions in U.S. Cuban relations. They do little to 
advance human rights or open political space in Cuba; in fact, quite 
the opposite. I fear that without a concerted effort to change our 
policies towards one another for the better, it will only lead to 
greater restrictions in both countries and fewer opportunities for 
moderate voices in both countries to engage directly with one another. 
I will conclude by urging the Cuban Government to release immediately 
all these prisoners and all prisoners of conscience.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. McCotter), a member of our Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
  We in America inhabit the bosom of freedom. Yet, scant miles, though 
a lifetime away from our shores, suffering and dying under an 
antiquated Communist tyrant, the Cuban people yearn to breathe free. By 
passing this resolution, we in the citadel of freedom say to the Cuban 
people, we hear you and we will help you. For if we do not, we will 
betray our own cherished democratic principles and our refusal will 
constitute a mute chorus of deafening silence in the face of human 
suffering. I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res. 179 that 
condemns the brutal crackdown of the Cuban Government on the island's 
peaceful pro-democracy movement and calls for the immediate release of 
all Cuban political prisoners.
  Mr. Speaker, I have addressed this House on several occasions 
regarding Castro's continued assault on and disregard for human rights 
and democracy. I and several of my colleagues have spoken recently of 
Castro's decision to arrest and try over 80 nonviolent human rights 
advocates, pro-democracy leaders, and independent journalists in what 
has become a campaign by the regime to silence all voices of peaceful 
opposition on the island.
  Inside of a month Castro has arrested, arraigned, tried, and 
sentenced many of the dissidents, some receiving prison terms as long 
as 27 years.
  Mr. Speaker, there is an article in today's New York Times that I 
would

[[Page 8784]]

like to enter into the Record, and it mentions James Cason, the U.S. 
diplomat that has been spoken of, and it says that the reason this is 
happening is because they have become such effective advocates that the 
government attacks them.
  The reason this is happening is these dissidents are having an 
impact. People believe in them in Cuba. They are having an impact on 
basically changing and reforming the government ultimately. They have 
become voices of change. That is why it is so important that we here in 
the United States basically condemn what Castro is doing, because 
otherwise people like them will not continue.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution. These recent actions by the Castro regime are simply the 
next step in the systematic denial of even the most basic human rights 
for the citizens of Cuba. Congress must send a strong message to Castro 
that despite his hopes that the world would be looking the other way, 
that his actions have not gone unnoticed and will not be allowed to 
continue.

                [From the New York Times, April 8, 2003]

         Cuban Dissidents Get Prison Terms as Long as 27 Years

                          (By David Gonzalez)

       Miami, Apr. 7.--Cuban courts today began handing out prison 
     terms of up to 27 years to dozens of dissidents, including 
     journalists and librarians, who had been advocating 
     democratic reforms, according to human rights groups and news 
     reports from Havana.
       The harsh sentences capped five days of trials in which 
     state security agents who had infiltrated dissident groups 
     testified against their supposed colleagues on charges of 
     subversion and collaborating with American diplomats. Almost 
     80 people were arrested in an islandwide sweep that started 
     last month and that has been condemned by numerous human 
     rights advocates, the European Union and foreign leaders.
       Hector Palacios, a key organizer of the Varela Project, 
     which seeks democratic reforms, was sentenced to 25 years. 
     Marta Beatriz Roque, an independent economist who angered 
     authorities when she invited the chief American diplomat in 
     Cuba to her home in February, received a 20-year sentence.
       Omar Rodriguez Saludes, an independent journalist who 
     covered the news scooting around Havana on a battered 
     bicycle, was handed the longest sentence: 27 years.
       Cuban authorities said the dissidents had conspired with 
     James Cason, the United States diplomat, and they brought 
     charges against them under a law that makes illegal any 
     support of measures like the American trade embargo that 
     would harm the island's economy or sovereignty. During an 
     appearance at the University of Miami today, Mr. Cason had a 
     one-word reply when asked if he thought--as the Cuban 
     government had suggested--that he provoked the crackdown by 
     his repeated meetings with dissidents.
       ``Lies,'' he said.
       He defended his contacts with the dissidents as a normal 
     part of his work, saying that the American mission in Havana 
     provided people with books, Internet access and newspaper 
     clippings, among other services. They did not, he said, pay 
     the groups or give them their marching orders, but supported 
     their call for a quick and peaceful transition to democracy.
       ``We should be clear, the opposition is not a shadow 
     government waiting to move into power,'' Mr. Cason said in 
     his speech. ``They are simply among the few who openly say 
     what so many others believe, that it is time for change. 
     Because they have become effective advocates, the government 
     attacks them, labeling them subversive traitors.''
       International groups condemned the sentences, saying those 
     arrested were exercising fundamental freedoms protected by 
     the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, of which Cuba is a 
     signer. Several Latin nations have introduced a proposal to 
     censure Cuba at the current session of the United Nations 
     Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
       ``It's perverse that there's a massive crackdown in Cuba 
     just at the moment that the United Nations is examining 
     Cuba's human rights record,'' said Jose Miguel Vivanco, the 
     Americas director of Human Rights Watch. ``The commission 
     must condemn these abuses, and do so strongly and 
     unequivocally.''
       Relatives of some dissidents denounced the lengthy prison 
     terms as effective life sentences. Raul Rivero, a poet and 
     the dean of the island's independent journalists, who was 
     given a 20-year sentence, suffers from phlebitis and other 
     illnesses.
       ``This is so arbitrary for a man whose only crime is to 
     write what he thinks,'' said Mr. Rivero's wife, Blanca Reyes. 
     ``What they found on him was a tape recorder, not a 
     grenade.''
       Mr. Cason said that the United States would offer moral 
     support to those who would assume the work of those now in 
     jail.
       The Cuban government put limits on Mr. Cason's movements 
     after he traveled some 6,000 miles around the island in his 
     first six months. Some have speculated the government might 
     decide to keep him out of the country, a possibility he 
     accepted.
       ``They can shoot the messenger if they want,'' Mr. Cason 
     said. ``There will be more messengers coming.''

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the vice chairman of our Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, since mid-March the Castro dictatorship has carried out 
a massive crackdown on human rights defenders, independent journalists, 
and trade unionists and other brave and noble pro-democracy activists 
throughout Cuba.
  Not satisfied with the ongoing torture and mistreatment and 
incarceration of approximately 400 political prisoners, Castro has 
begun a new, ominous, and shameful attack on another 80 of the best and 
brightest and most courageous of Cuba. Now, as we meet here today, his 
people and his thugs are beating, victimizing, and sentencing to very 
long prison sentences those who are the cream of the crop in Cuba, who 
believe in freedom and democracy.
  Castro, with all eyes diverted on Iraq and the war in Iraq, is trying 
to silence dissent with violence, ``show'' trials, and incarceration. 
This latest manifestation, Mr. Speaker, of cruelty by the Castro 
dictatorship is but another, but a highly significant other, reminder 
of the true character of this regime. It is cruel, brutal and an 
egregious violator of human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, Castro's brutal actions hopefully will serve as a wake-
up call to those in the United States, especially those in the United 
States Congress who argue that it is time to lift the travel ban and 
sanctions against Cuba. I especially want to focus, Mr. Speaker, on 
those in the European Union who have been trading with the island 
country of Cuba for so many years without any linkage whatsoever to 
human rights. Trade, trade, trade, while this barbaric dictatorship 
gets worse and worse and worse.
  In previous Congresses, Mr. Speaker, I have offered an amendment to 
lift the travel ban, if and only if political prisoners are freed and 
felons who have committed acts of violence in the United States against 
U.S. police, including a trooper from the State of New Jersey, are 
brought to the U.S. in order to be held accountable. That amendment, 
sadly, lost.
  Now, today on the floor we are united in rhetoric and sentiment for 
those who are being incarcerated and mistreated. But we also need 
linkage, Mr. Speaker. We need to recognize that actions, and 
particularly those that are linked to trade and travel bans, can be 
very efficacious--actions always speak louder than our words. I call 
upon the European Union, Mr. Speaker, to engage the human rights abuses 
of Castro with something more than rhetoric. Members of the EU have 
been trading, as has Canada, for so many years. What have they gotten 
for it? Maybe they made a few bucks or a few Euros or a few Canadian 
dollars, but they have, however unwittingly, aided and abetted this 
brutal tyrant in horrific repression against his people.
  I urge strong support for the gentlewoman from Florida's (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) resolution, and I hope this is a wake-up call about what this 
regime is all about.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney).
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the sponsors of this 
resolution, especially my friends from Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying that people do not miss fresh air 
until they live without it. My friends from south Florida understand 
what it is like to live without freedom and without fresh air.
  While American men and women are halfway around the world fighting 
for freedom and democracy, we are finding

[[Page 8785]]

out who our friends are. We are also finding out throughout the world 
who the really bad actors are. You can judge bad guys because while the 
cat is away, the rats are playing just 90 miles off the Florida border. 
And I will say that the roundup of these individual freedom fighters, 
who remind me of the original founders of our Republic, who pledged in 
the Declaration their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to 
stand up for what is right, the most recent roundup by Castro and his 
evil regime is nothing but a modern-day Stalinist purge.
  I will say as we are fighting to free the Iraqi people, so we should 
stay the course and fight to free the Cuban people. I urge a unanimous 
vote by this House of Representatives and, once again, I want to thank 
all of my colleagues who are sponsors of this resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. After 
speaking, I will yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-
Balart) to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I started my remarks quoting Eli Wiesel, and I would 
like to end the remarks that I have on this resolution by this same 
gentleman who has meant so much for freedom and human rights and free 
expression of ideas throughout the world.
  Eli Wiesel said, ``Just as despair can come to one only from other 
human beings, hope too can be given to one only by other human 
beings.''
  Let us be that beacon of hope for the Cuban people. Let us support 
this resolution. Let us support those freedom fighters, those valiant 
fighters for free thought who are actually given sentences for 
possession of typewriters, for possession of books, for possession of 
computers, for giving interviews to foreign journalists. Let us be that 
beacon of hope that Eli Wiesel spoke about.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. Speaker, I yield the remaining time to the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the 
gentlewoman for yielding the time to me, and I also want to thank the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for bringing this 
resolution to the floor.
  We have heard about this horrible thing that is going on just 90 
miles away from the United States coast, these people getting arrested. 
What are they getting arrested for? What have they gotten convicted 
for? Let me just mention Raul Ramon Rivero, an independent journalist 
and leader of the Cuba press newspapers service who, by the way, has 
been sentenced to 20 years, Mr. Speaker, 20 years in prison for the 
following reasons:
  Because he created an independent press organization, 20 years for 
that. Because he is circulating materials published by human rights 
groups, 20 years for that, Mr. Speaker. Because he is a member of the 
Cuban Society of Independent Journalists, 20 years in prison for that, 
Mr. Speaker. Because, the audacity, he has a Sony tape recorder. Mr. 
Speaker, furthermore, he has the audacity of having a Samsung computer; 
and if that was not enough to deserve 20 years in prison, it is because 
he has had meetings in his home with other independent journalists.
  That is the reason, Mr. Speaker, why he is serving 20 years, why the 
tyranny has sentenced him for 20 years in prison. It is not a joke. It 
is not a cruel joke. Those are the reasons, and like reasons for why 
these people are being sentenced to 20 years or life imprisonment just 
90 miles away from our coast.
  Mr. Speaker, some still do business with that tyrant, with Castro; 
and some want to do business with Castro, with the Castro regime. Doing 
business with the Castro regime, Mr. Speaker, which is Castro's will, 
that is what he wants, he says it every single day, doing business with 
that tyrant, Mr. Speaker, and let us make it very clear, is doing 
business with a criminal. It is doing business with an international 
terrorist. It is doing business with a thug, with a tyrant. Mr. 
Speaker, it is doing business with a murderer; and yes, just listen to 
him, what he says, it is doing business with a mortal enemy of the 
United States of America and the American people.
  Let us remember what Marta Beatriz Roque, who now has been sentenced 
to prison for these same types of issues, what she has been saying time 
and time again. One of the reasons that she is going to prison is 
because she has said that we must keep the sanctions on the tyranny; we 
must keep the pressure on until finally there are free elections in 
Cuba.
  That is the goal, Mr. Speaker. That is what we need to do. That is 
what we need to succeed in achieving for the Cuban people, and that is 
why it is important. That is a step to free elections. That is a step 
to freedom in Cuba.
  We overwhelmingly support this resolution and want to make sure that 
the world sees that everybody understands that we will not tolerate, we 
will not tolerate this type of behavior; and we are not going to do 
business with that kind of anti-American thug, criminal, assassin and 
terrorist just 90 miles away from our shores.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution.
  The world has condemned Cuba's recent crackdown on human rights and 
democracy activists. What is most troubling is that this is nothing 
new. The recent crackdown is merely a continuation of the systematic 
human rights violations in Cuba committed by the Castro regime.
  Today I was most discouraged to learn of the prison sentences that 
have been handed down to dozens of these dissidents, who have been 
charged with ``subversion'' and collaborating with American diplomats, 
among other charges. Hector Palacios is but one I'll mention. Along 
with Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, Mr. Palacios has been a key organizer of 
the Varela Project, an effort to win Cuban popular support for a 
referendum on open elections, freedom of speech, freedom for political 
prisoners, and free enterprise. Yesterday he was sentenced to 25 years 
in prison for advocating democratic reforms.
  Today I join my colleagues in condemning Cuba's crackdown on 
democracy, in calling for the release of all Cuba's political 
prisoners, in supporting the right of the Cuban people to exercise 
their political and civil liberties, and in calling on the world to 
insist in the strongest terms that the Government of Cuba adhere to 
international human rights standards.
  I enclose for the Record a letter to me from former Secretary of 
State Madeleine Albright, now Chairman of the National Democratic 
Institute for International Affairs. NDI has worked with organizers of 
the Varela Project to promote the movement internationally, and last 
year NDI honored Oswaldo Paya Sardinas for his courageous efforts to 
promote democracy. Enclosed also is a statement from him calling for 
the immediate release of the activists. Mr. Paya calls this moment the 
``Spring of Cuba'' because for the first time, a peaceful movement is 
flourishing there. We must do all we can to help it take root.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support for H. 
Res. 179. The recent crackdown by the Cuban government on political 
dissidents is without reason or measure. The Cuban government must 
recognize that if it wants to become a full member of the family of 
democratic nations, and re-establish ties with the United States, it 
must abide by the fundamental rules of a democracy. At the very top of 
that list is freedom of expression.
  I believe that the United States can assist Cuba in its move towards 
greater freedom and openness. The American Congress and the 
Administration can lead by example, by lifting the travel ban, and 
lifting the trade embargo. How can we advocate for greater freedom when 
we prevent American companies and consumers from benefiting from trade 
with Cuba? How can we call for greater openness when we do not let 
American citizens exercise their constitutional right to travel freely, 
to Cuba if they so desire. America can also lead by example by avoiding 
needless antagonization of Cuba. Wherever they are, our diplomatic 
community must always act diplomatically.
  Current U.S. policy towards Cuba has proved a failure. It makes no 
sense to continue down the path of isolation. The recent actions by the 
Cuban government, while reprehensible, do not change that central fact. 
U.S. policy should be based on U.S. national interests, not a system of 
rewards and punishments for good or bad behavior. In this instance, the 
Cuban government has behaved badly and they should be properly 
sanctioned for it, in America and in the world community.

[[Page 8786]]

This resolution is an appropriate measure. I do not think, however, 
that it should affect policy. This should not lead to greater 
restrictions. To the contrary, the response should be greater exchange 
between the U.S. and Cuba. Greater freedom and openness will lead to a 
more free and open Cuban society. As we call on Cuba now to change its 
policy, we must also ask ourselves what we can do to have a more free 
and open policy. Lifting the travel and trade ban on Cuba would be a 
good start.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
this resolution. I also thank my South Florida colleagues, Lincoln 
Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart for bringing 
this resolution to the floor. I stand with them today to condemn the 
brutal and inhumane attacks by Fidel Castro on innocent human rights 
activists, trade union leaders, journalists and ordinary citizens in 
Cuba.
  Fidel Castro has taken advantage of the power he has in his country 
and over his citizens for years. Today, he is taking advantage of the 
world's focus on the war in Iraq to once again suppress Cuban 
dissidents who are trying to exercise basic rights of freedom of 
expression, seeking a peaceful evolution towards a democracy he so 
obviously deplores.
  Mr. Speaker, here in the United States, protesters are using their 
First Amendment rights to speak their minds on the war in Iraq. Whether 
they support the Bush administration or not and whether we agree with 
them or not, people in this country rally to voice their concerns over 
the war, and other issues, without the fear of being brutally attacked 
and imprisoned for the rest of their lives.
  In Cuba however, the freedom to express your mind is nonexistent. The 
imprisoned dissidents in Cuba are part of a growing movement who are 
continuously followed, harassed, phone-tapped and detained.
  For merely stating their opinions, signing petitions and writing 
articles advocating the end of the dictatorship in Cuba, these 
activists are charged as criminals. They are threatened for gathering 
in each other's private homes to talk about the resurrection of a 
better life in Cuba for themselves and for future generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, these callous and repressive acts by Castro's regime are 
nothing new. They have been occurring long before my colleagues and I 
came to Congress. Many of the prisoners will probably face years of 
imprisonment, joining several hundred political prisoners who have been 
previously sentenced for similar harmless acts. For decades now, Castro 
has repeatedly used the repression of his citizens as a means of 
retaining authority and control over his country and over his people.
  It is for these reasons I stand in strong support of this resolution 
and ask my fellow colleagues to join me to condemn the arrests of these 
individuals and insist the immediate release of all political prisoners 
in Cuba.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, on March 17th of this year, Fidel Castro 
initiated his most draconian crack-down on political dissidents in 
recent years.
  He has ordered the arrest of more than 80 pro-democracy activists. He 
has tried them in proceedings the State Department called a ``kangaroo 
court.'' And he has sentenced them to decades in prison on illegitimate 
charges.
  Castro was wrong to think he could tighten his choke-hold on the 
human rights of his people under the radar of the civilized world.
  The United States may be engaged in armed conflict on the other side 
of the world, but no fog of war can conceal Castro's barbarism.
  And no freedom-loving nation can reward such behavior with trade 
policies that, however well-intentioned, would enrich a terrorist 
regime 90 miles off our shores.
  If Castro cared about the Cuban people, he would stop brutalizing 
members of the pro-democracy movement. He would release all his 
political prisoners, and restore individual liberties to his people.
  He would recognize the human rights of all Cubans, especially those 
with the courage to speak the truth about his goon squad of a 
government.
  This resolution calls on the Cuban dictator to do all of these 
things, and it puts the House of Representatives once again on the side 
of our oppressed neighbors and against their oppressor.
  I urge all Members to support it.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 179.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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