    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 26, 1996]
    [Page 339]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 339]]

    Remarks Announcing Sanctions Against Cuba Following the Downing of
    American Civilian Aircraft
    February 26, 1996

        Good afternoon. Two days ago, in broad daylight and without
    justification, Cuban military aircraft shot down two civilian planes in
    international airspace. Search and rescue efforts by the Coast Guard,
    which began immediately after we received word of the incident, have
    failed to find any of the four individuals who were aboard the
    airplanes.
        These small airplanes were unarmed and clearly so. Cuban authorities
    knew that. The planes posed no credible threat to Cuba's security.
    Although the group that operated the planes had entered Cuban airspace
    in the past on other flights, this is no excuse for the attack, and
    provides--let me emphasize--no legal basis under international law for
    the attack. We must be clear: This shooting of civilian aircraft out of
    the air was a flagrant violation of international law. It is wrong, and
    the United States will not tolerate it.
        Saturday's attack is further evidence that Havana has become more
    desperate in its efforts to deny freedom to the people of Cuba. Also on
    Saturday the Cuban Council, a broad group that wants to bring democracy
    to Cuba, had planned a day of peaceful discussion and debate. Instead,
    in the days leading up to this gathering, scores of activists were
    arrested and detained. Two have already been sentenced to long prison
    terms. They join about 1,000 others in Cuba who are in jail solely
    because of their desire for freedom. Now the downing of these planes
    demands a firm response from both the United States and the
    international community. I am pleased that the European Union today
    strongly condemned the action.
        Last night, on my instructions, Ambassador Albright convened an
    emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to condemn the
    Cuban action and to present the case for sanctions on Cuba until it
    agrees to abide by its obligation to respect civilian aircraft and until
    it compensates the families of the victims.
        Today I am also ordering the following unilateral actions. First, I
    am asking that Congress pass legislation that will provide immediate
    compensation to the families, something to which they are entitled under
    international law, out of Cuba's blocked assets here in the United
    States. If Congress passes this legislation, we can provide the
    compensation immediately.
        Second, I will move promptly to reach agreement with the Congress on
    the pending Helms-Burton Cuba legislation so that it will enhance the
    effectiveness of the embargo in a way that advances the cause of
    democracy in Cuba.
        Third, I have ordered that Radio Marti expand its reach. All the
    people of Cuba must be able to learn the truth about the regime in
    Havana, the isolation it has earned for itself through its contempt for
    basic human rights and international law.
        Fourth, I am ordering that additional restrictions be put on travel
    in the United States by Cuban officials who reside here, and that visits
    by Cuban officials to our country be further limited.
        Finally, all charter air travel from the United States to Cuba will
    be suspended indefinitely.
        These deliberate actions are the right ones at this time. They
    respond to Havana in a way that serves our goals of accelerating the
    arrival of democracy in Cuba. But I am not ruling out any further steps
    in the future, should they be required. Saturday's attack was an
    appalling reminder of the nature of the Cuban regime, repressive,
    violent, scornful of international law. In our time, democracy has swept
    the globe, from the Philippines exactly 10 years ago, to Central and
    Eastern Europe, to South Africa, to Haiti, to all but one nation in our
    hemisphere. I will do everything in my power to see that this historic
    tide reaches the shores of Cuba.
        And let me close by extending on behalf of our family and our
    country our deepest condolences to those in the families of those who
    lost their lives.

    Note: The President spoke at 4 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Brothers to the Rescue, a Florida-
    based emigre group which operated the downed aircraft.