[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1999)]
[Page 64]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

January 15, 1999

    I am today notifying the Congress that I have decided to suspend for 
an additional 6 months implementation of provisions of Title III of the 
Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, which allow legal actions 
to be brought against firms trafficking in confiscated properties in 
Cuba. I believe that this decision best implements the Act's objective 
to enhance human rights and hasten the day when the Cuban people enjoy 
democracy and prosperity.
    This action further enhances our efforts to strengthen international 
cooperation in promoting peaceful democratic change in Cuba. For the 
past 2\1/2\ years, the United States has pursued a strategy, coordinated 
by Under Secretary of State Stu Eizenstat, to increase international 
pressure on the Cuban Government to respect human rights and to begin 
political and economic reforms. We have urged our democratic friends and 
allies to take concrete actions in support of this goal. Encouraged by 
the results, in January 1997 I said that I expected to continue 
suspending this provision of Title III so long as our partners' stepped-
up pro-democracy efforts continued.
    Over the past 6 months, the Cuban Government has heard a more 
concerted message from the international community in support of 
democracy. A number of national leaders have publicly and privately 
pressed senior Cuban officials on the need for human rights and 
democracy. While visiting Cuba, they have spoken openly of the need for 
change, and they have met with and given important encouragement to pro-
democracy human rights activists. In international forums, our friends 
in Latin America and Europe have been explicit in their condemnation of 
Cuba's deplorable human rights situation. The European Union has renewed 
its Common Position on Cuba, calling for ``a peaceful transition to 
pluralist democracy, the respect for human rights and fundamental 
freedoms.'' The senior-level report made at the U.S.-EU Summit last 
month stressed our joint efforts to promote such a transition in Cuba. 
This partnership has succeeded in increasing international pressure on 
Cuba to respect human rights and make fundamental reforms. 
Nongovernmental organizations have augmented their efforts as well. A 
strong consensus is emerging among business and labor groups that 
investors in Cuba should adhere to clear ``best business'' principles. 
While we do not encourage investment in Cuba, we welcome efforts to seek 
the agreement of those who do invest to provide Cuban workers with 
decent pay, the right to organize, and safe working conditions. Major 
European NGO's have undertaken to develop an international working group 
to pursue this important initiative further.
    We underscored our determination to support freedom in Cuba again on 
December 10, International Human Rights Day, when we honored human 
rights activists around the world, including the four members of Cuba's 
Internal Dissidence Working Group awaiting trial merely for defending 
their right to speak freely about their hopes for the future. Their 
willingness to make personal sacrifices for their peaceful, democratic 
cause inspires us to persevere on their behalf. I again pledge this 
administration's strongest efforts to encourage and work with our allies 
on effective steps to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba.

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