    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 16, 1998]
    [Pages 75-76]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 75]]

    Statement on Action on Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic
    Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
    January 16, 1998

        Today I am notifying the Congress of my decision to suspend for an
    additional 6 months the right of U.S. nationals to file suit against
    foreign firms trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba. This
    decision is consistent with my strong commitment to implement the Cuban
    Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD Act) in a way that best
    advances U.S. national interests and hastens a peaceful transition to
    democracy in Cuba.
        I have taken this action to continue the effort we began in July
    1996 to strengthen international cooperation in the effort to promote
    democracy in Cuba. I said last January and reaffirmed last July that I
    expected to continue suspending this provision of the LIBERTAD Act so
    long as our friends and allies continue their stepped-up efforts to
    promote a democratic transition in Cuba. I made this decision to take
    advantage of the growing realization throughout the world, in Europe and
    Latin America especially, that Cuba must change. We and our allies agree
    on the importance of promoting democracy, human rights, and fundamental
    freedoms in Cuba, and on the vital need for a peaceful transition to
    democracy on the island.
        In the past 18 months, we have worked with our allies and friends to
    support concrete measures that promote peaceful change in Cuba. The
    international community is more united behind the cause of freedom in
    Cuba, and Fidel Castro is more isolated than
    ever before.
        The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its historic Common Position
    that, consistent with Europe's traditional democratic values, binds the
    15 member nations to promote human rights and democracy in Cuba. The EU
    and its member states have strongly urged the Cuban Government to
    release imprisoned dissidents and stop the harassment of those who seek
    peaceful democratic change. Recently, they have gone further and created
    an EU Working Group on Human Rights among their embassies in Havana.
    This will help coordinate the EU's human rights efforts in Cuba.
        The international effort is not confined to Europe. Under Secretary
    of State Stuart Eizenstat made a trip to
    four Central American countries to energize their efforts to promote
    change in Cuba, with positive results. At the Ibero-American Summit in
    Venezuela in November 1997, leaders from Latin America and Europe made
    clear their position in favor of democracy and human rights. At the
    United Nations General Assembly in December, more countries than ever
    before cosponsored the resolution supporting human rights in Cuba.
        Nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) are increasing their support
    for dissidents on the island and maintaining international attention to
    repression in Cuba. The Dutch organization, Pax Christi, noting the
    historic and spiritual importance of the visit of the Pope this month, has continued its call for political
    change in Cuba. Amnesty International called on Cuba to release the four
    dissidents of the Dissident Working Group who were arrested in July.
        Business groups have also been active in the effort. The Trans
    Atlantic Business Dialogue, composed of chief executive officers of
    leading European and U.S. corporations, called for businesses operating
    internationally to observe ``best business practices'' and to support
    human rights in international operations, including in Cuba. On January
    7 in Washington, DC, the North American Committee of the National Policy
    Association sponsored a major conference on best business practices in
    Cuba. This committee includes over 100 representatives from business,
    labor, and the academic community in the United States, Canada, and
    Mexico.
        As the multinational effort has moved forward, we have continued our
    vigorous implementation of title IV of the LIBERTAD Act, which denies
    entry to the U.S. of executives of firms that traffic in confiscated
    property in Cuba. Our implementation efforts have had a significant
    impact. Several companies have withdrawn from commitments or altered
    their plans in Cuba in order to avoid determinations of trafficking. We
    will continue implementation of title IV as we work to conclude our
    negotiations with the EU on developing investment disciplines regarding
    confiscated property.
        The U.S.-led international approach to promote democracy in Cuba
    must be preserved,

    [[Page 76]]

    expanded, and strengthened. We will continue working with our friends
    and allies to develop comprehensive, effective measures to promote
    democracy in Cuba.