[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 3 (Monday, January 19, 1998)]
[Pages 81-82]
[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 16, 1998

    Today I am notifying the Congress of my decision to suspend for an 
additional 6 months the right of U.S. nationals 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 
advances U.S. national interests and hastens a peaceful transition to 
democracy in Cuba.
    I have taken this action to continue the effort we began in July 
1996 to strengthen international cooperation in the effort to promote 
democracy in Cuba. I said last January and reaffirmed last July that I 
expected to continue suspending this provision of the LIBERTAD Act so 
long as our friends and allies continue their stepped-up efforts to 
promote a democratic transition in Cuba. I made this decision to take 
advantage of the growing realization throughout the world, in Europe and 
Latin America especially, that Cuba must change. We and our allies agree 
on the importance of promoting democracy, human rights, and fundamental 
freedoms in Cuba, and on the vital need for a peaceful transition to 
democracy on the island.
    In the past 18 months, we have worked with our allies and friends to 
support concrete measures that promote peaceful change in Cuba. The 
international community is more united behind the cause of freedom in 
Cuba, and Fidel Castro is more isolated than ever before.
    The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its historic Common Position 
that, consistent with Europe's traditional democratic values, binds the 
15 member nations to promote human rights and democracy in Cuba. The EU 
and its member states have strongly urged the Cuban Government to 
release imprisoned dissidents and stop the harassment of those who seek 
peaceful democratic change. Recently, they have gone further and created 
an EU Working Group on Human Rights among their embassies in Havana. 
This will help coordinate the EU's human rights efforts in Cuba.
    The international effort is not confined to Europe. Under Secretary 
of State Stuart Eizenstat made a trip to four Central American countries 
to energize their efforts to promote change in Cuba, with positive 
results. At the Ibero-American Summit in Venezuela in November 1997, 
leaders from Latin America and Europe made clear their position in favor 
of democracy and human rights. At the United Nations General Assembly in 
December, more countries than ever before cosponsored the resolution 
supporting human rights in Cuba.
    Nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) are increasing their support 
for dissidents on the island and maintaining international attention to 
repression in Cuba. The Dutch organization, Pax Christi, noting the 
historic and spiritual importance of the visit of the Pope this month, 
has continued its call for political change in Cuba. Amnesty 
International called on Cuba to release the four dissidents of the 
Dissident Working Group who were arrested in July.
    Business groups have also been active in the effort. The Trans 
Atlantic Business Dialogue, composed of chief executive officers of 
leading European and U.S. corporations, called for businesses operating 
internationally to observe ``best business practices'' and to support 
human rights in international operations, including in Cuba. On January 
7 in Washington, DC, the North American Committee of the National Policy 
Association sponsored a major conference on best business practices in 
Cuba. This committee includes over 100 representatives from business, 
labor, and the academic community in the United States, Canada, and 
Mexico.
    As the multinational effort has moved forward, we have continued our 
vigorous implementation of title IV of the LIBERTAD Act, which denies 
entry to the U.S. of executives of firms that traffic in confiscated 
property in Cuba. Our implementation efforts have had a significant 
impact. Several companies

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have withdrawn from commitments or altered their plans in Cuba in order 
to avoid determinations of trafficking. We will continue implementation 
of title IV as we work to conclude our negotiations with the EU on 
developing investment disciplines regarding confiscated property.
    The U.S.-led international approach to promote democracy in Cuba 
must be preserved, expanded, and strengthened. We will continue working 
with our friends and allies to develop comprehensive, effective measures 
to promote democracy in Cuba.