[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 9 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Pages 381-382]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Announcing Sanctions Against Cuba Following the Downing of 
Brothers to the Rescue Airplanes

February 26, 1996

    Good afternoon. Two days ago, in broad daylight and without 
justification, Cuban military aircraft shot down two civilian planes in 
international airspace. Search and rescue efforts by the Coast Guard, 
which began immediately after we received word of the incident, have 
failed to find any of the four individuals who were aboard the 
airplanes.
    These small airplanes were unarmed and clearly so. Cuban authorities 
knew that. The planes posed no credible threat to Cuba's security. 
Although the group that operated the planes had entered Cuban airspace 
in the past on other flights, this is no excuse for the attack, and 
provides--let me emphasize--no legal basis under international law for 
the attack. We must be clear: This shooting of civilian aircraft out of 
the air was a flagrant violation of international law. It is wrong, and 
the United States will not tolerate it.
    Saturday's attack is further evidence that Havana has become more 
desperate in its efforts to deny freedom to the people of Cuba. Also on 
Saturday the Cuban Council, a broad group that wants to bring democracy 
to Cuba, had planned a day of peaceful discussion and debate. Instead, 
in the days leading up to this gathering, scores of activists were 
arrested and detained. Two have already been sentenced to long prison 
terms. They join about 1,000 others in Cuba who are in jail solely 
because of their desire for freedom. Now the downing of these planes 
demands a firm response from both the United States and the 
international community. I am pleased that the European Union today 
strongly condemned the action.
    Last night, on my instructions, Ambassador Albright convened an 
emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to condemn the 
Cuban action and to present the case for sanctions on Cuba until it 
agrees to abide by its obligation to respect civilian aircraft and until 
it compensates the families of the victims.
    Today, I am also ordering the following unilateral actions. First, I 
am asking that Congress pass legislation that will provide immediate 
compensation to the families, something to which they are entitled under 
international law, out of Cuba's blocked assets here in the United 
States. If Congress passes this legislation, we can provide the 
compensation immediately.
    Second, I will move promptly to reach agreement with the Congress on 
the pending Helms-Burton Cuba legislation so that it will enhance the 
effectiveness of the embargo in

[[Page 382]]

a way that advances the cause of democracy in Cuba.
    Third, I have ordered that Radio Marti expand its reach. All the 
people of Cuba must be able to learn the truth about the regime in 
Havana--the isolation it has earned for itself through its contempt for 
basic human rights and international law.
    Fourth, I am ordering that additional restrictions be put on travel 
in the United States by Cuban officials who reside here, and that visits 
by Cuban officials to our country be further limited.
    Finally, all charter air travel from the United States to Cuba will 
be suspended indefinitely.
    These deliberate actions are the right ones at this time. They 
respond to Havana in a way that serves our goals of accelerating the 
arrival of democracy in Cuba. But I am not ruling out any further steps 
in the future, should they be required.
    Saturday's attack was an appalling reminder of the nature of the 
Cuban regime: repressive, violent, scornful of international law. In our 
time, democracy has swept the globe, from the Philippines exactly 10 
years ago, to Central and Eastern Europe, to South Africa, to Haiti, to 
all but one nation in our hemisphere. I will do everything in my power 
to see that this historic tide reaches the shores of Cuba. And let me 
close by extending on behalf of our family and our country our deepest 
condolences to those in the families of those who lost their lives.

Note: The President spoke at 4 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White 
House.