    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [August 20, 1994]
    [Page 1487]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Cuba
    August 20, 1994

        Over the past 2 weeks, the Government of Cuba has taken actions to
    provoke a mass exodus to the United States. These actions have placed
    thousands of Cuban citizens at risk in small boats and rafts and have
    had a direct impact on our national interest.
        I want to thank the Cuban-American community for their courageous
    restraint in not taking their own boats to Cuba to fuel the exodus and
    thank the officials of Florida, Governor Chiles, the congressional
    delegation, the people from Dade County, and others, who have worked so
    closely with us.
        Yesterday I announced steps to counter Castro's efforts to export
    his problems by provoking an exodus. Today I'm announcing additional
    actions consistent with the Cuban Democracy Act to limit the ability of
    the Cuban Government to accumulate foreign exchange and to enable us to
    expand the flow of information to the Cuban people.
        Specifically, cash remittances to Cuba will no longer be permitted.
    Family gift packages will be limited to medicine, food, and strictly
    humanitarian items and transfer of funds for humanitarian purposes will
    require specific authorization of the Treasury Department. Second, the
    only charter flights permitted between Miami and Havana will be those
    clearly designed to accommodate legal immigrants and travel consistent
    with the purposes of the Cuban Democracy Act. Third, the United States
    will use all appropriate means to increase and amplify its international
    broadcasts to Cuba.
        The solution to Cuba's many problems is not an uncontrolled exodus;
    it is freedom and democracy for Cuba.
        The United States will continue to bring before the United Nations
    and other international organizations evidence of human rights abuses,
    such as the sinking of the tugboat 13th of March. Meanwhile we will
    pursue this course with vigor and determination.