[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 1 (Monday, January 6, 1997)]
[Pages 3-4]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Action on Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996

January 3, 1997

    Last July, I allowed title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD Act) to come into force but suspended for 6 
months the right it grants to American nationals to bring suit against 
foreign firms trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba. I took this 
step so that we could have time to develop a more common approach with 
our allies and trading partners to promote democracy, human rights, and 
fundamental freedoms in Cuba. We and our allies agree on the vital need 
for a transition to democracy on the island, but differences over how to 
achieve that aim have often overshadowed the goal itself. That is why I 
decided to make maximum use of title III to increase pressure on the 
Castro regime by working with our allies--not against them--to 
accelerate change in Cuba.
    Over the past 6 months, our efforts have yielded real progress. 
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Under Secretary of Commerce Stuart 
Eizenstat, who serves as my Special Representative for the Promotion of 
Democracy in Cuba, the international community is more united behind the 
cause of freedom in Cuba than ever before in the 38-year history of 
Castro's oppressive regime.
    Today, in order to consolidate and build on the momentum we have 
generated for democratic change in Cuba, I have decided

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to extend for another 6 months the suspension of the right to file suit 
under title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act.
    A number of developments show the strengthened international 
consensus for change in Cuba. The European Union, acting consistent with 
its traditional democratic values, in December adopted an historic 
``Common Position'' binding all 15 member nations to promote democracy 
and reform in Cuba. The EU's action explicitly makes any improvement in 
political or economic relations with Cuba contingent on concrete 
advances in human rights and political freedoms on the island. At the 
Ibero-American Summit in Santiago in November, heads of state from Latin 
America, Spain, and Portugal called for democracy and full respect for 
human rights, thus emphasizing Cuba's isolation as the hemisphere's only 
nondemocratic nation.
    Governments and nongovernmental organizations are increasing their 
backing for dissidents on the island and keeping international attention 
focused on repression in Cuba. A new European Platform for Human Rights 
and Democracy in Cuba is being created to

help coordinate NGO activity to strengthen independent groups in Cuba. 
European business leaders and organizations are supporting a set of best-
business practices so, if they invest in Cuba, it will benefit Cuban 
workers and not the government. Europe's major labor organization, the 
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, has strongly condemned 
Castro's labor practices and called for free trade unions.

    These and other steps have sent a clarion message of hope to the 
Cuban people. They underscore that it is Castro who is isolated, not 
those who welcome the democratic tide of history. They demonstrate the 
international community's resolve to end the dictatorship so the people 
of Cuba can enjoy the freedom and prosperity they deserve.
    The international momentum we have built to promote democracy in 
Cuba must be preserved and strengthened. During the coming 6 months and 
thereafter, we will continue working with our allies to develop the most 
comprehensive, effective measures to promote democracy in Cuba that we 
can. We also will continue to enforce title IV of the LIBERTAD Act.
    The law requires that I review title III every 6 months. I would 
expect to continue suspending the right to file suit so long as 
America's friends and allies continue their stepped-up efforts to 
promote a transition to democracy in Cuba. I hope, furthermore, that the 
momentum created by the EU's actions will lead to similar Cuba democracy 
efforts by others, including governments in our own hemisphere.
    The Cuban people have lived under tyranny for too long. We must 
sustain our efforts to hasten the arrival of democracy in Cuba. As a 
result of increasing international pressure, we have never been closer 
to that day. We will not be satisfied until that day arrives.