[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 20, 1992]
[Page 805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 805]]

Statement on the 90th Anniversary of Cuban Independence

May 20, 1992
    I would like to mark this day, the 90th anniversary of Cuban 
independence, by sharing my vision for a free and democratic Cuba. Just 
as the struggle for Cuban independence was hard fought, so too is the 
struggle of the Cuban people today to gain their freedom. The Castro 
dictatorship cannot and will not survive the wave of democracy that has 
swept over the world, and I believe the Cuban people are closer than 
ever to winning that freedom. On this Cuban Independence Day, I want to 
reiterate my firm solidarity with the Cuban people as they strive to 
bring peaceful, democratic change to their country.
    Independence Day is the occasion to pay homage to the great heroes 
and freedom fighters of the past. But as we honor them, I also want to 
salute all those in Cuba who are placing themselves at personal risk by 
calling for peaceful change. We particularly want to express our 
admiration for the ever-growing number of Cuban men and women who are 
courageously speaking out against Castro's abuses of human rights and 
his denial of the Cuban people's most basic civil liberties.
    We are working hard to ensure that those Cubans striving for human 
rights and civil freedoms have the broadest possible international 
recognition and support. I am pleased that the United Nations will be 
naming a special rapporteur to investigate and report on the human 
rights situation in Cuba. We will continue to help get the truth to the 
Cuban people through a free flow of information. Today, I reaffirm my 
commitment to oppose Castro at every turn and not to pursue normal 
relations until his dictatorship is done.
    Castro's vision of the future is to cling to a failed past. His 
determination to keep Cuba an antidemocratic Communist state dooms the 
Cuban people to a predetermined fate. He tells them that their only 
choice is between ``socialism or death.'' And he dismisses the basic 
rights of people, the rights to free speech and free association, as the 
``garbage'' of democracy.
    I reject Castro's vision of doom as I believe the Cuban people do. I 
see Cuba's future as one of hope and expectation. I believe that Cubans 
will enjoy a peaceful and democratic future, one in which they will be 
able to elect the leaders of their choice. My vision is one in which 
Cubans have open access to the newspapers, television, and radio; will 
be able to travel and study wherever they like; and will find jobs in a 
prosperous Cuba, resulting in better lives for their children and their 
grandchildren.
    And I want the Cuban people to know that my administration and the 
American people will be prepared to help in a transition to a stable and 
free Cuba. Our elected officials, our businessmen, many of our ordinary 
citizens, and especially the members of our hard working and prosperous 
Cuban-American community are willing and able to help rebuild Cuba by 
lending their know-how to repair the shattered Cuban economy.
    So on this historic occasion, I look forward to a new day of Cuban 
independence when decisions about their future are made through free and 
fair elections that reflect tolerance and respect for the views of each 
individual. This will be the foundation for building a new and better 
Cuba, a free Cuba.