[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 29 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Pages 1078-1079]
[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

July 16, 1997

    Today I am notifying the Congress of my decision to suspend for 6 
more months the right of U.S. citizens to file suit against foreign 
firms trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba. This decision is 
consistent with my strong commitment to implement the Cuban Liberty and 
Democratic Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD Act) in a way that best serves our 
national interest and hastens a peaceful transition to democracy in 
Cuba.
    I have invoked this waiver for the past year in order to continue 
strengthening cooperation with our friends and allies toward our shared 
goal of ending Cuba's 38 years of oppression. Thanks to the efforts of 
Stuart Eizenstat--my Special Representative for the Promotion of 
Democracy in Cuba and now Under Secretary of State--we have made 
significant progress. We are forging an international consensus on 
concrete steps to clear the way for a new era of democracy and 
prosperity for the people of Cuba.
    I said in January that I expected to continue suspending this 
provision of title III of the LIBERTAD Act so long as our partners 
continued their stepped-up efforts to promote a democratic transition in 
Cuba. My decision today to renew the suspension reflects the sustained 
progress that has been made over the past 6 months and my expec

[[Page 1079]]

tation of further advances in the future. Just 2 weeks ago, the European 
Union (EU) formally renewed its commitment to the historic Common 
Position it adopted last December. This agreement binds all 15 EU member 
nations to make any improvement in relations with Cuba dependent on 
concrete advances in human rights and political freedoms on the island. 
EU member states have broadened their contacts with human rights 
activists and independent groups in Cuba. Furthermore, after careful 
consultation with the Congress, the United States and the EU reached an 
understanding on April 11 to develop international disciplines to 
inhibit and deter the acquisition of confiscated properties or any 
dealings involving them.
    Key countries in Europe and, increasingly, Central and South America 
have made clear that they are no longer conducting ``business as usual'' 
with the Castro government. Instead, their leaders are pressing for the 
release of political prisoners, free elections, economic reform, and 
other measures that will help the Cuban people achieve the fundamental 
political and economic freedoms they deserve. Major European political 
parties met in The Netherlands for the first time to promote freedom and 
human rights in Cuba and issued a strong declaration urging Castro to 
democratize Cuba.
    Nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) have also risen to the 
challenge. European NGO's have made pathbreaking strides to increase 
international support for change in Cuba and provided unprecedented 
support to prodemocracy activists on the island. Business and labor 
groups are formulating ``best business'' practices for firms investing 
in Cuba. While the United States discourages investment in Cuba, we hope 
that those who do invest there will foster respect for basic workers' 
rights and improvements in working conditions.
    We have continued to enforce vigorously title IV of the LIBERTAD 
Act, denying entrance into the U.S to directors of several foreign firms 
that traffic in confiscated properties in Cuba. As a result, several 
firms have withdrawn from investments and contracts in Cuba and are 
reassessing future investments. The United States will continue 
enforcing title IV during the negotiations of binding international 
disciplines as called for in the U.S.-EU understanding. The 
administration will consult further with the Congress concerning 
authority to waive title IV if the investment guidelines have been 
agreed upon and implemented.
    We are making real progress in strengthening the international 
effort to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people and the Castro 
regime hear the message more clearly than ever. The international 
community is committed to seeing freedom reach Cuba's shores and the 
Cuban people assume their rightful place in the family of democratic 
nations.