[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[May 20, 1991]
[Pages 524-525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message on Cuban Independence Day
May 20, 1991

    On May 20th, Cuban-Americans commemorate the 89th anniversary of 
Cuban independence, a day that celebrates the heroic efforts of the 
people who forged the Cuban Republic.
    The history of our two countries is closely intertwined. During our 
own Revolution, when American troops were short on supplies, the women 
of Havana banded together and raised money for the cause of American 
freedom and independence.
    Eighty-two years later, Cubans banded together and, after a long 
brutal struggle, built their own republic. Today we remember that 
victory for freedom and hope for its renewal in Cuba.
    Freedom demands sacrifice. And the battle for freedom draws upon 
people's most heroic instincts and abilities. Jose Marti, a hero of 
freedom, the father of Cuban independence, said, ``To witness a crime in 
silence is like committing it.'' So, today we again reiterate unwavering 
commitment for a free and democratic Cuba. Nothing shall turn us away 
from this objective.
    I ask Fidel Castro to make this an Independence Day to remember. I 
call on Fidel Castro to free political prisoners in Cuba and allow the 
United Nations Commission on Human Rights to investigate possible human 
rights violations in Cuba. I challenge Mr. Castro to let Cuba live in 
peace with its neighbors. And I challenge Mr. Castro to follow the 
examples of countries like Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Chile in 
their achievement of new democracies.
    Put democracy to a test: permit political parties to organize and a 
free press to thrive. Hold free and fair elections under international 
supervision. Ninety-nine percent of the people of this hemisphere live 
either in a democracy or a country that is on the road to democracy. One 
percent live under the hemisphere's last dictator, Fidel Castro.
    On Cuban Independence Day, our goals for the Cuban nation, shared by 
Cubans everywhere, are plain and clear: freedom and democracy, Mr. 
Castro, not sometime, not someday, but now. If Cuba holds fully free and 
fair elections under international supervision, respects human rights, 
and stops subverting its neighbors, we can expect relations between our 
two countries to improve significantly.
    Thank you, and may God bless the freedom-loving people of Cuba and 
the United States.

                    Note: This message was recorded on May 16 in the 
                        Oval Office at the White House and

[[Page 525]]

                        was released by the Office of the Press 
                        Secretary on May 20. In his message, President 
                        Bush referred to President Fidel Castro Ruz of 
                        Cuba. The message was broadcast into Cuba with a 
                        Spanish translation on Radio and TV Marti.