    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 15, 2009]
    [Pages 1576-1577]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Review of Title III of the Cuban
    Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
    January 15, 2009

    Dear _____
        Consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the Cuban Liberty and
    Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-114) (the
    ``Act''), I hereby determine and report to the Congress that suspension
    for 6 months beyond February 1, 2009, of the right to bring an action
    under title III of the Act is necessary to the national interests of the
    United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to David R. Obey, chairman, and C.
    Jerry Lewis, ranking member, House Committee on Appropriations; Daniel
    K. Inouye, chairman, and W. Thad Cochran, ranking member, Senate

    [[Page 1577]]

    Committee on Appropriations; Howard L. Berman, chairman, and Ileana Ros-
    Lehtinen, ranking member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Joseph
    R. Biden, Jr., chairman, and Richard G. Lugar, ranking member, Senate
    Committee on Foreign Relations.