[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[May 20, 1994]
[Pages 964-965]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Cuban Independence Day
May 20, 1994

    On this May 20th, Cuban Independence Day, I wish to convey to the 
Cuban-American community the best wishes of the American people. We 
fully share your hopes and aspirations for a future when the people of 
Cuba can enjoy freedom and democracy. For over three decades, Cuba has 
suffered under an inhumane dictatorship. It's my deep and committed 
desire that the Cuban people will live in liberty.
    The centerpiece of my administration's foreign policy toward Latin 
America and the Caribbean has been a commitment to democracy, human 
rights, and accountable government. A welcome tide of democratic 
government has swept throughout the hemisphere. The will of the people 
is being expressed through democratic elections and the strengthening of 
the rule of law.
    Only two countries in the entire hemisphere remain outside this 
democratic community of nations, Cuba and Haiti. And we are working hard 
for the restoration of the freely and fairly elected constitutional 
government of President Aristide in Haiti. Cuba's time has also come.
    We wish for the people of Cuba what we wish for all people of the 
Americas: freedom

[[Page 965]]

of the press and speech, protection from arbitrary arrest and respect 
for due process, and the rule of law. We wish for the people of Cuba 
what we strive for for ourselves: prosperity, an environment where our 
basic needs are met and where our children can grow and develop 
spiritually and in safety. We wish, on this historic anniversary, for a 
prosperous, vibrant, flourishing democracy that frees the creativity of 
the people of Cuba.
    Let me be clear. We maintain the trade embargo against the Castro 
regime because the United States does not want to do anything that could 
strengthen the dictatorship. As the same time, the Cuban Democracy Act 
allows humanitarian assistance and the free flow of communications and 
ideas that can help to alleviate the suffering and isolation of the 
Cuban people. It is for this reason that I will continue to support 
Radio and TV Marti; they are an important window to the world.
    The United States has no quarrel with the Cuban people. There is a 
long history of mutual cooperation and admiration between our two 
peoples. Only the dictatorship stands between our two nations. The 
United States will continue to encourage the dream of a free and 
democratic Cuba. As Jose Marti, hero of Cuba and of the Americas said, 
``We love liberty, because in it we see the truth.'' The whole world has 
now seen the truth of the failure of dictatorship. I pray that soon the 
Cuban people will enjoy the freedoms, the rights, the privileges that 
they deserve as human beings and that democracy so vigorously 
guarantees.