    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [June 27, 1995]
    [Pages 953-955]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the Cuban-American Community
    June 27, 1995

        I want to speak with you today about my administration's plans to
    press forward with our efforts to promote a peaceful transition to
    democracy in Cuba. A little more than a month ago, I took steps to stop
    the dangerous and illegal flow of Cubans attempting to enter the United
    States by sea. I want to report to you on the results of these steps and
    why I believe it was the right thing to do. But first, let me be clear:
    our commitment to a better future for the Cuban people remains as strong
    as ever.
        Throughout our hemisphere, a powerful wave of democracy is bringing
    new respect for human rights, free elections, and free markets. Thirty-
    four of the thirty-five countries in this region have embraced
    democratic change. Only one nation resists this trend, Cuba.
        Cuba's system is at a dead end politically, economically, and
    spiritually. The Castro regime denies Cubans their most basic rights.
    They cannot speak freely. They cannot organize to protest. They cannot
    choose their own leaders. At the same time, economic collapse threatens
    the well-being of every man, woman, and child in Cuba.
        The pressure of our embargo and the withdrawal of Soviet support
    have forced Cuba to adopt some economic measures of reform in the last 2
    years. We haven't seen that before. But economic change remains slow,
    stubborn, and painfully inadequate. The denial of basic rights and
    opportunities has driven tens of thousands of Cubans to desperation.
        In the summer of 1994, thousands took to treacherous waters in
    unseaworthy rafts, seeking to reach our shores; an undetermined number
    actually lost their lives. In response, I ordered Cubans rescued at sea
    to be taken to safe haven at our naval base at Guantanamo and, for a
    time, in Panama. But this could not be a long-term solution. Last fall,
    I ordered that the young, the old, and the infirm and their imme-

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    diate families be admitted to our country. Thousands entered the United
    States in this way. Still, that left tens of thousands of young men at
    Guantanamo who were becoming increasingly frustrated and desperate.
    Senior United States military officials warned me that unrest and
    violence this summer were likely, threatening both those in the camps
    and our own dedicated soldiers.
        But to admit those remaining in Guantanamo without doing something
    to deter new rafters risked unleashing a new, massive exodus of Cubans,
    many of whom would perish seeking to reach the United States. To prevent
    that situation and to settle the migration issue, I took action. The
    Cuban rafters who were brought to Guantanamo last summer will be
    admitted to the United States, except those found to be inadmissible
    under U.S. law. Those Cubans rescued at sea while illegally trying to
    enter the United States will be taken back to Cuba. Under our generous
    program of legal immigration, 20,000 Cubans from Cuba will be allowed to
    enter and reside in the United States every year from now on. And we'll
    continue to provide assistance to Florida to help resettle those Cuban
    migrants.
        I know that many of you have questions about aspects of this policy.
    Yet, the simple truth is that there is no realistic alternative. We
    simply cannot admit all Cubans who seek to come here. We cannot let
    people risk their lives on open seas in unseaworthy rafts. And we cannot
    sentence thousands of young men to live in limbo at Guantanamo.
        Our new policy is working. Since its beginning on May 2d, few Cubans
    have been intercepted at sea. We cannot know how many lives have been
    saved by the deterrent effect of this policy. But consider this: In May
    of last year, some 700 Cubans were picked up and many others were lost
    at sea. Our new policy can help to avoid uncontrolled migration, and
    it's already saving lives.
        At the same time, we are making every effort to protect those at
    risk in Cuba. We will not return rafters who we believe would suffer
    reprisals back in Cuba. The U.S. Interests Section in Havana is
    carefully monitoring those sent home, visiting each of them individually
    to ensure they are not harassed. And thanks to our legal migration
    programs, over 15,000 Cubans have been approved to enter the United
    States since September 1994 as immigrants, parolees, and refugees. That
    is 3 times more than in any previous year.
        In short, the actions we took address the serious humanitarian
    problem at Guantanamo, deter illegal and unsafe migration, protect
    political refugees, and expand opportunities for legal admission from
    Cuba. They serve our national interests.
        Regularizing Cuban migration also helps our efforts to promote a
    peaceful transition to democracy on the island. For too long, Castro has
    used the threat of uncontrolled migration to distract us from this
    fundamental objective. With the steps I have taken, we are now able to
    devote ourselves fully to our real, long-term goal.
        Our policy is rooted in the Cuban Democracy Act, which I endorsed
    some 3 years ago and which subsequently passed the Congress with
    bipartisan support. Consistent with the act, the United States will
    maintain the economic embargo against the Cuban regime. This is an
    important way to promote change in Cuba, and it will remain in place
    until we see far-reaching political and economic reform. As provided in
    the act, if Cuba takes steps in the direction of meaningful change, we
    are also prepared to respond with our own carefully calibrated
    responses.
        The Cuban Democracy Act also calls on us to support the Cuban people
    in their struggle for democracy and economic well-being. We believe that
    reaching out today will nurture and strengthen the fledgling civil
    society that will be the backbone of tomorrow's democratic Cuba. We will
    continue to help Cuba's democratic opposition and the churches, human
    rights organizations, and others seeking to exercise the political and
    economic rights that should belong to all Cubans.
        Throughout the Americas, dictatorships have given way to democracy.
    They are following the path of reconciliation and forgiveness preached
    by Cuba's first Cardinal, Jaime Ortega, during his recent visit here to
    the United States. Cuba will follow this course of its neighbors. With
    the support of the American people and their representatives in
    Congress, we can move forward toward our common goal of a peaceful
    transition to democracy in Cuba. I hope that it will be my privilege as
    President to welcome a free Cuba back into the community of democratic
    nations.

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    Note: The President's remarks were videotaped at noon on June 7 in the
    Oval Office at the White House for later broadcast, and they were
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary on June 27.