[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[May 20, 1998]
[Pages 814-815]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Radio Remarks on Cuban Independence Day
May 20, 1998

    I want to say hello to all listeners of Radio Marti. On behalf of 
the people of the United States, I offer you warmest wishes on this 
Cuban Independence Day.
    The United States is determined to help Cuba achieve a peaceful 
transition to democracy. And as part of our effort, I announced in March 
that the U.S. would permit direct humanitarian flights, transfers of 
money from families in the United States to relatives in Cuba, and 
streamline procedures for the sale of medicines to your country.
    These steps are aimed at building on Pope John Paul's historic visit to Cuba, increasing humanitarian relief and 
supporting the role of the church and other elements of civil society. 
We're committed to helping Cuba's courageous democracy and human rights 
advocates as they work for a brighter future. We continue to be 
concerned about those who languish in Cuban jails. We urge the Cuban 
Government to release all political prisoners and reintegrate them into 
Cuban society.
    Cubans will never be free until Cubans are free to speak out and 
organize for fundamental

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change. We send you a message of hope; we must work together to promote 
freedom in the only country in our hemisphere which does not yet enjoy 
it. I believe the Cuban people want democracy and that they will relish 
it and prosper in every realm--political, economic, and cultural--once 
they are free.
    Before I sign off, let me congratulate the Office of Cuba 
Broadcasting, home to Radio and TV Marti, as it begins broadcasting from 
its new headquarters in Miami today. Here, closer to their listeners, 
Radio and TV Marti will continue to bring information, hope, and 
encouragement to the people of Cuba.
    My best wishes to all of you, and thank you for listening.

Note: The President's remarks were recorded at approximately 11:30 a.m. 
in the Oval Office at the White House for later broadcast, and the 
transcript was embargoed for release until 1:30 p.m. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of these remarks.