    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 12, 1996]
    [Pages 432-433]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity
    (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
    March 12, 1996

        Thank you very much. Welcome to the White House. Senator Helms,
    Senator Gramm, Senator Mack, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Coverdell,
    Congressman Menendez, Congressman Torricelli, Congressman Diaz-Balart,
    Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Deutsch, Congressman
    Burton, Congressman Kennedy--I hope I haven't missed any Members of
    Congress who are here--to the family members of those who were
    tragically shot down, Ambassador Albright, Assistant Secretary Watson,
    my fellow Americans.
        We are here today around a common commitment to bring democracy to
    Cuba. Two and a half weeks ago, the world received a harsh reminder of
    why a democratic Cuba is so important, not only to us but to the people
    of Cuba. In broad daylight and without justification, Cuban military
    jets shot down two unarmed United States civilian aircraft, causing the
    deaths of three American citizens and one U.S. resident. The planes were
    unarmed, the pilots unwarned. They posed no threat to Cuba's security.
        This was clearly a brutal and cruel act. It demanded a firm,
    immediate response. On my instructions, Ambassador Albright convened the
    United Nations Security Council, which unanimously deplored Cuba's
    actions. Dozens of countries around the world expressed their revulsion.
    Cuba's blatant disregard for international law is not just an issue
    between Havana and Washington but between Havana and the world.
        I ordered also a number of unilateral actions. One of those steps
    was to have my representa-

    [[Page 433]]

    tives work closely with Congress to reach prompt agreement on the Cuban
    Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act. Within 2 days, and with the extra
    efforts of our friend Congressman Menendez, Democrats and Republicans
    came together and produced a better bill. It will strengthen the embargo
    in a way that advances the cause of freedom in Cuba. Today I sign it
    with a certainty that it will send a powerful, unified message from the
    United States to Havana, that the yearning of the Cuban people for
    freedom must not be denied.
        This bill continues our bipartisan effort to pursue an activist Cuba
    policy, an effort that began some 4 years ago with the Cuban Democracy
    Act. Under the provisions of that legislation, our administration has
    encouraged Cuba's peaceful transition to democracy. We have promoted the
    free flow of ideas to Cuba through greater support for Cuba's brave
    human rights activists, a dramatic increase in nongovernmental
    humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, long distance telephone service.
    And the more the Cuban people are free to express the freedoms and
    rights their neighbors enjoy the more they will insist on change.
        We have also kept the pressure on Cuba by maintaining a tough
    embargo policy. The legislation I sign today further tightens that
    embargo. It sends a strong message to the Cuban Government: We will not
    tolerate attacks on United States citizens and we will stand with those
    both inside and outside Cuba who are working for a peaceful transition
    to freedom and democracy.
        Finally let me say as I sign this bill into law, I do so in the name
    of the four men who were killed when their planes were shot down on
    February 24th: Armando Alejandre, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, and
    Pablo Morales. In their memory, I will continue to do everything I can
    to help the tide of democracy that has swept our entire hemisphere
    finally, finally reach the shores of Cuba.
        The Cuban people must receive the blessings of freedom they have
    been so long denied. And I hope and believe that this day is another
    important step toward that ultimate goal that so many of you in this
    audience have worked so hard for, for so very, very long.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:37 a.m. in Room 450 of the Old Executive
    Office Building. H.R. 927, approved March 12, was assigned Public Law
    No. 104-114.