[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.