    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 1, 1996]
    [Page 350]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on the National Emergency With Respect to Cuba
    March 1, 1996

    To the Congress of the United States:
        Pursuant to section 1 of title II of Public Law 65-24, ch. 30, 50
    U.S.C. 191 and sections 201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act, 50
    U.S.C. 1601 et seq., United States Code, I hereby report that I have
    exercised my statutory authority to declare a national emergency in
    response to the Government of Cuba's destruction of two unarmed U.S.-
    registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba.
        In the proclamation (copy attached), I have authorized and directed
    the Secretary of Transportation to make and issue such rules and
    regulations that the Secretary may find appropriate to prevent
    unauthorized U.S. vessels from entering Cuban territorial waters.
        I have authorized these rules and regulations as a result of the
    Government of Cuba's demonstrated willingness to use reckless force,
    including deadly force, in the ostensible enforcement of its
    sovereignty. I have determined that the unauthorized departure of
    vessels intending to enter Cuban territorial waters could jeopardize the
    safety of certain U.S. citizens and other persons residing in the United
    States and threaten a disturbance of international relations. I have,
    accordingly, declared a national emergency in response to these threats.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    March 1, 1996.

    Note: The proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.