    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [January 15, 1999]
    [Page 45]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 45]]

    Statement on Review of Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic
    Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
    January 15, 1999

        I am today notifying the Congress that I have decided to suspend for
    an additional 6 months implementation of provisions of Title III of the
    Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, which allow legal actions
    to be brought against firms trafficking in confiscated properties in
    Cuba. I believe that this decision best implements the Act's objective
    to enhance human rights and hasten the day when the Cuban people enjoy
    democracy and prosperity.
        This action further enhances our efforts to strengthen international
    cooperation in promoting peaceful democratic change in Cuba. For the
    past 2\1/2\ years, the United States has pursued a strategy, coordinated
    by Under Secretary of State Stu Eizenstat, to increase international pressure on the Cuban Government
    to respect human rights and to begin political and economic reforms. We
    have urged our democratic friends and allies to take concrete actions in
    support of this goal. Encouraged by the results, in January 1997 I said
    that I expected to continue suspending this provision of Title III so
    long as our partners' stepped-up pro-democracy efforts continued.
        Over the past 6 months, the Cuban Government has heard a more
    concerted message from the international community in support of
    democracy. A number of national leaders have publicly and privately
    pressed senior Cuban officials on the need for human rights and
    democracy. While visiting Cuba, they have spoken openly of the need for
    change, and they have met with and given important encouragement to pro-
    democracy human rights activists. In international forums, our friends
    in Latin America and Europe have been explicit in their condemnation of
    Cuba's deplorable human rights situation. The European Union has renewed
    its Common Position on Cuba, calling for ``a peaceful transition to
    pluralist democracy, the respect for human rights and fundamental
    freedoms.'' The senior-level report made at the U.S.-EU Summit last
    month stressed our joint efforts to promote such a transition in Cuba.
    This partnership has succeeded in increasing international pressure on
    Cuba to respect human rights and make fundamental reforms.
    Nongovernmental organizations have augmented their efforts as well. A
    strong consensus is emerging among business and labor groups that
    investors in Cuba should adhere to clear ``best business'' principles.
    While we do not encourage investment in Cuba, we welcome efforts to seek
    the agreement of those who do invest to provide Cuban workers with
    decent pay, the right to organize, and safe working conditions. Major
    European NGO's have undertaken to develop an international working group
    to pursue this important initiative further.
        We underscored our determination to support freedom in Cuba again on
    December 10, International Human Rights Day, when we honored human
    rights activists around the world, including the four members of Cuba's
    Internal Dissidence Working Group awaiting trial merely for defending
    their right to speak freely about their hopes for the future. Their
    willingness to make personal sacrifices for their peaceful, democratic
    cause inspires us to persevere on their behalf. I again pledge this
    administration's strongest efforts to encourage and work with our allies
    on effective steps to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba.