[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Pages 235-236]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the First Anniversary of the Downing of United States 
Aircraft by Cuba

February 24, 1997

    One year ago, four innocent civilians were killed when their 
aircraft were brutally shot down by the Cuban regime. Without warning, 
Cuban MiG's fired air-to-air missiles at two small unarmed planes in 
international airspace. Three U.S. citizens and one permanent resident 
were the victims: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Mario de la Pena, and 
Pablo Morales.
    Today we join the families in honoring the memory of these men as we 
carry forward our efforts to seek justice for their deaths. An 
investigation by the International Civil Aviation Organization last June 
confirmed that the shootdown was unlawful and without any justification. 
The U.N. Security Council last February and again in June strongly 
deplored Cuba's illegal use of violence against the aircraft. The Castro 
regime, however, has consistently rejected the judgment of the 
international community. As we did one year ago, we call on Cuba to take 
full responsibility for its actions and provide assurances that an 
outrage like this will never happen again.
    The shootdown and the Cuban Government's continuing repression of 
human rights activists and independent journalists underscore the need 
to continue working for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. The 
United States continues to lead the international effort to achieve that 
goal, and over the past year, more of our friends and allies than ever 
before have joined with us to help bring democracy to Cuba.
    On this anniversary, with the memory of the four victims in our 
prayers, the United States reaffirms its commitment to help bring 
democracy, respect for human rights, and prosperity to the people of 
Cuba, who have too long been denied these essentials of a decent life.

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