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Cuba – Public (Press Statements Q&A)
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Cuba – Public (Press Statements Q&A)
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Suzanna Valdez's Files
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FOIA Number: 2016-0920-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Public Liaison
Series/Staff Member:
Suzanna Valdez
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
6101
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Cuba - Public (Press Statements Q&A)
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6
1
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Cuba - Public (Press Stmnts, Q&A)
CLINTON LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY
FACT SHEET -- CUBA
I.
POLICY TOWARDS CUBA
The goal of the US is to promote a peaceful, rapid
transition to democracy in Cuba.
US policy towards Cuba is based on the Cuban Democracy Act
which has bipartisan support. The Act stipulates that we will
maintain sanctions as long as Castro refuses to move towards
democracy and greater respect for human rights.
The Act states that we are prepared to reduce sanctions in a
carefully calibrated way in response to positive developments in
Cuba. We have not seen such progress.
II. MIGRATION CRISIS
--
The migration crisis was provoked by Castro's decision to no
longer prevent Cubans from taking to the seas in unsafe vessels.
-- As a result, more than 32,000 Cubans were picked up at sea
and are now under U.S. protection at Guantanamo and in Panama.
-- On August 19, the President announced that the US would
rescue Cubans at sea and take them to a safehaven at Guantanamo
Bay. Migrants from Cuba would not be allowed to enter the US.
-- The President also announced a series of actions to expand
the flow of information to the people of Cuba and to limit the
ability of the Cuban government to accumulate foreign exchange.
The agreement reached on September 9 with the government of
Cuba put an end to the massive outflow of Cuban rafters.
--
The agreement also provides for the legal migration into the
U.S. of at least 20,000 Cubans per year. The agreement has put
an end to irregular departures and promoted orderly, safe and
legal migration.
III. CUBANS IN SAFEHAVENS
There currently are roughly 22,000 Cubans at Guantanamo and
roughly 8,000 in Panama.
The President has taken a series of humanitarian steps
relating to Cubans in safehavens. The Attorney General is
paroling into the U.S. seriously ill persons who cannot
adequately be cared for in the camps, unaccompanied young
children, and migrants over 70.
2
IV. LAWSUIT
In response to a lawsuit filed by a group of Cuban-
Americans, a federal court in Florida has entered a temporary
restraining order barring the US from returning any Cuban from
Guantanamo or Panama until the court has had time to address the
claim that they are being forcibly sent back. The hearing is
scheduled for October 26, at 1:00 P.M.
--
A plane was scheduled to return 23 Cuban volunteers on
October 25, but was prevented from doing so pending the hearing.
-- US policy is unambiguous: No Cuban currently at Guantanamo
or in Panama should be either forced or encouraged to return.
All Cubans are given the opportunity to choose to stay under U.S.
protection.
If a Cuban asks to go home, our policy is to permit his or
her return. We do not wish to hold Cubans against their will.
--
To date, 42 Cubans have returned. All have done so
voluntarily. All 23 scheduled to depart had expressed a strong
desire to go home. [SEE ATTACHED DECLARATION - Tab A]
The lawsuit charges that inhumane camp conditions indirectly
coerce Cuban migrants into returning home.
The USG has taken extraordinary steps to provide for all
migrants in safehavens, and will continue to do SO. [SEE
ATTACHED FACT SHEET - Tab B]
The lawsuit also charges that we have denied the lawyers
access to the safehavens.
--
Although the priority was providing for the migrants'
immediate needs, authorities in the safehavens have tried to
facilitate visits to the camps. Representatives of various
interested non-governmental organizations include Amnesty
International, the US Committee for Refugees, the US Catholic
Conference, and a group of Cuban-American lawyers) have been
given access to the camps at Guantanamo Bay.
On October 20, 1994, four days before the lawsuit was filed,
officials of the USG informed the attorneys by telephone that
they would be allowed to meet with Cuban migrants in safehavens.
--
This position was confirmed in writing in a letter dated
October 24 [SEE ATTACHED LETTER . Tab C].
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 14, 1994
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today announced a series of immediate humanitarian
steps relating to Cubans in safehavens in Guantanamo and Panama.
First, the Attorney General will parole into the United States
chronically ill persons and their caregivers who cannot be
adequately cared for in the camps.
Second, she will parole into the United States unaccompanied
young children now in the safe havens.
Third, she will parole into the United States migrants over 70.
In each case, we will ensure that those paroled in have
appropriate sponsors.
Fourth, the Administration will conduct a review of the status of
all children in the camps.
Fifth, we have launched a major effort to persuade other
countries to accept some of the Cuban migrants.
Sixth, although much remains to be done, significant improvements
have been made in the camps including providing better food,
inaugurating mail and telephone service, and improving sanitary
conditions. Attached is a fact sheet showing the time table for
improvements.
The administration shares the deep concern of the Cuban-American
community for the well-being of all the Cubans in safehavens.
The root cause of these problems is in Cuba. The administration
is dedicated to pursuing policies which will lead to a rapid and
peaceful movement to democracy in Cuba.
#
FACT SHEET
IMPROVEMENTS AT GUANTANAMO
There are five tiers of improvement categories:
I.
Infrastructure/facilities
П.
Food/clothing/medicine
III.
Personal communications
IV.
Education/recreation
V.
Other/administrative
INFRASTRUCTURE/FACILITIES
Water: Running water is now available in all Haitian and Cuban camps. Water has
always been available for consumption, but construction of the last piping system
for running water was completed on 9 October. Each migrant is provided safe
drinking water and sufficient water for daily hygiene.
Tents: All migrants have shelter, but dust is still a problem in the Cuban camps.
As some migrants leave, camp officials can close some camps and build hard stands
for other tents going up. The Haitian camps are located on hard surfaces (runways)
and dust is not as bad in this location. Many steps have been taken to reduce dust.
One measure that has had some success is the spreading of a soil stabilizer, another
measure has been to plant surrounding ground cover. These are temporary
measures until all tents are hardened to include concrete or wooden flooring.
Projected completion of the hardening project is 15 November.
Sanitation facilities: There is currently one latrine for every 30 migrants. Cleaning
is now done once every three days; by October 24 cleaning will be done once every
day. Plans are now being developed to have permanent latrine facilities. The
construction of sewer piping systems is slowed by the small geographic area and by
2
limited treatment capacity. Follow-on plans include expanding existing treatment
facilities.
Camp areas: Each camp has an area for recreation. Half-court basketball and
volleyball courts are being constructed, projected completion 24 October.
Additionally, baseball diamonds and soccer fields are being built for common use.
FOOD/CLOTHING/MEDICINE
Milk: A preliminary supply of milk has been provided along with specialized milk
for babies with digestive problems (Infamil with Iron, Similac). Follow-on supplies
will be provided and sustained.
Food: Every effort is being made to develop a varied menu. There are now enough
food stocks to allow the announcerient of 2-day menus. Two new kitchens have
been built. Each migrant receives 2 hot meals and one MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)
per day. Migrants take part in food preparation and as a result of greater food
stocks the resulting menu has become more Cuban and Haitian friendly. Examples
include the Haitian fare Paella and a Cuban recipe for Arroz con Pollo on Sundays.
Clothing: Thanks to the efforts of many government and non-government
organizations each migrant has spare clothing and shoes and ball-type caps for those
that need sun-protection during the day. Over 35,000 pairs of shoes were purchased
for the migrants and all have been distributed.
Medicine: There have been no outbreaks/illnesses of any serious nature within the
last month. Hygiene is improving daily and preventive care is being developed by
camp doctors. There are estimates of up to 250 pregnant women in the camps. Pre-
natal and post-natal facilities are being built to assist new and expectant mothers
with the care and feeding of their children. Special milk/formula and other infant
needs are being stocked.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mail: Limited postcard service has been available through the American Red
Cross. A DoD/US Postal Service team traveled to Guantanamo last week to
arrange regular letter service to begin in October. Initial service will include only
3
letter/post card mail. By early November details of package delivery will be
announced.
Phones: 95 phone lines have been established solely for use by Cuban and Haitian
migrants. All phones are operational.
EDUCATION/RECREATION
Educational facilities/supplies: Primary education is currently provided through
the 6th grade level. Supplies for crayons, notebooks and school books in Spanish
and Creole were provided with DoD funds.
Newspaper Deliveries: Daily newspaper delivery service should begin on 20 Oct.
Radio Service: There were over 1000 radios supplied to the migrants in September
and more are being scheduled for delivery. Additionally, the radios are able to pick
up Radio Marti during the evening hours and DoD has been producing additional
broadcasts through a temporary station called Radio Esperanza.
Other Media: Camp leaders are also given the opportunity to produce their own
print media for the camps.
Recreation: The Cubans have asked for basketball areas and 6 are now being
constructed, expected completion is 20 October 94. Each camp will have a
recreation tent by 12 Oct. Other facilities are being planned and constructed that
include baseball diamonds and soccer fields, as previously mentioned. Special
activities for children are also being implemented. Currently, there is a program to
transport children and their parents or their caregivers to playground areas around
the base. More playground facilities are being built within the family camps for
greater access. Recreation tents are being stocked with supplies of games, cards,
dominos and other related materials.
4
OTHER
Administrative: Mr. Guarione Diaz, a Cuban-American and President of the
Cuban American National Council, was appointed Ombudsman to help assist in the
U.S. Government's effort to improve camp conditions. He has been instrumental in
coordinating relief activities and supplies from the Cuban-American population.
Camp Leadership for the Migrants: Each camp has selected a small group of
camp leaders and representatives to voice their concerns over the conditions in the
camps. The leaders' recommendations are followed as much as practical. Camp
leaders hold regular meetings with migrants in their areas and during these forums
give updates from governmental agencies.
Cigarettes: Small shipments of cigarettes have been arriving in Guantanamo during
the last two weeks. Other priority items such as milk for babies, clothes, shoes and
other food stocks were delivered first. The Administration is working with the
Cuban-American community in Miami for a large donation of cigarettes which DOD
will arrange to have transported and distributed in the camps.
Camp Visits: Guantanamo has been visited by the Archdiocese of Miami, scores
of press, US government officials, non-governmental organizations, and
many others in an effort to assist migrants. Information will be released in
November about how private citizens can arrange visits to Guantanamo. The first
priority is to get those assigned duty to help the migrants.
Donated Goods/Services: The US Government welcomes all donations of goods
and services for the migrants in Guantanamo. The State Department has contracted
the services of World Relief to accept and distribute donated goods to the migrants.
To Donate Goods, contact: Peggy Gilbert, World Relief, (914) 268-4135.
To Donate Services, contact: Mr. Guarione Diaz, Ombudsman for Cubans at the
Camps, (305) 642-3484.
Asylum given
to hundreds
of rafters
Elderly, young and sick
refugees to win freedom
By CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS
And MIRTA OJITO
CLINTON'S PATH EASED
Herald Staff Writers
WASHINGTON - The Clin-
President Clinton's deci-
ton administration, under strong
sion to release some Cubans
pressure from Cuban Americans,
from detention camps eases
announced Friday that it will
fear of demonstrations during
grant refuge to a few hundred
his Miami visit tonight, 20A.
elderly, sick and child refugees
now detained in camps at Guan-
A BOOST FOR MAS?
tanamo and in Panama.
The U.S. policy shift on asy-
No specific figure was given,
lum for rafters could boost sup-
although it is estimated that
fewer than 500 will be admitted
port for Jorge Mas Canosa,
chairman of the Cuban Ameri-
from the 29,000 Cubans at
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
can National Foundation. 20A.
and 6,000 at a U.S. military base
in Panama.
But more might be coming.
track."
The White House announcement
The new policy marks a shift in
noted it will conduct a review of
course for President Clinton,
the status of all children in the
who sought to "demagnetize" the
camps - estimated at more than
United States as a destination
3,000 - saying they would also
during the exodus of Cuban boat
be likely candidates for parole.
people last summer. Clinton
Ecstatic Cubans hailed the
insisted in August that no
decision.
Cubans taken into U.S. custody
"This is the beginning of the
at sea would ever be granted
end of this nightmare," said
entry into this country.
Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of
But Clinton relented in the face
the Cuban American National
Foundation. "We are on the right
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living in their countries. Nuccio
said other countries have also
of increasing requests by Cuban
expressed an interest in offering
Americans to accept the most
residence to the boat people.
vulnerable of the refugees.
Cubans approved for U.S.
Effective immediately, chil-
entry face a final hurdle. They
dren without parents, people
must find sponsors who say they
above the age of 70 and those
are willing to provide economic
who are gravely ill, as well as
support for the refugees for the
care-givers identified by base
first six months. Medical care for
doctors, are all approved to come
the ill, at least in the short run, is
to the United States under
being covered by U.S. military
paroles issued by Attorney Gen-
hospitals.
eral Janet Reno.
Mas Canosa said the refugees
"Therc's a general recognition
who will be left behind at the
that these are humanitarian
camps should not lose hope. He
cases," said Michael Skol, deputy
believes they will soon be
assistant secretary of state for
allowed to go to third countries
inter-American affairs. "They're
and once there can come to the
the sick, the very young and the
United States under the Cuban
very old. You can't keep these
American National Foundation's
people locked up."
Exodus program.
But Skol insisted that immigra-
Up to 500 expected
tion programs geared to help
Richard Nuccio. a State
Cubans stranded in third coun-
Department official who is serv-
tries reach the United States,
ing as a liaison to Miami's Cuban
including the Exodus program,
community, estimated that the
would not be allowed to bring in
total number would not exceed
Cubans who have been in Guan-
500.
tanamo or Panama.
U.S. military officers at the
Guantanamo base have reported
Others need visas
there are 64 unaccompanied boys
and four girls there. Nuccio esti-
Administration officials said
mated there are fewer than 200
U.S. policy toward the bulk of
people older than 70 and "a cou-
the refugees remains unchanged.
ple of dozen" who have been
and the only way the others will
identified as gravely ill, suffering
be able to come to the United
from heart conditions and the
States is if they return to Cuba
like.
and apply for a travel visa at the
Spouses of those who qualify
U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
for parole, as well as care-givers
U.S. officials quietly concede
of the sick. will almost certainly
that most of the refugees at the
be granted entry as well, officials
Guantanamo and Panama bases
said.
are relying on the political clout
Catalina Reyes, a 33-ycar-old
of Cuban Americans in the
rafter now in Guantanamo. said
United States to eventually win
in a telephone interview that
their entry.
everybody in her camp was
That political muscle was in
happy to hear the news.
evidence this week, on the eve of
"It's a step forward for us in
a Clinton fund-raising trip to
this terrible situation we are in."
Miami. Thousands of Cuban
she said_ "There is much faith
exiles planned to receive him
today."
with protests against the indefi-
Reyes, who was a radio and TV
nite detention of the refugces.
host in Cuba, is especially hope-
"If Clinton's visit is what did
ful. Her 63-year-old husband
it. so be it," said Miami City
Juan Garcia Diaz, a former polit-
Manager Cesar Odio, who called
ical prisoner, has rectal cancer.
a meeting in his office Friday to
She hopes they can both come to
trumpet the decision, six hours
Miami so he can receive proper
before the White House made its
medical care and she can take
announcement.
care of him.
Accompanying Odio were
members of the Cuban American
Other countries approached
Advisory Ad Hoc Committee, an
The administration at the same
organization created at the begin-
time announced it has launched
ning of the crisis to help improve
"a major effort" to persuade
the living conditions in the
other countries to accept some of
camps and make policy recom-
the Cubans. Any of the detainees
mendations.
who are approved for legal travel
The move came a day after a
to third countries are welcome to
group of Cuban-American attor-
leave the camps in Guantanamo
neys met with top White House
and Panama, officials said.
officials and threatened to sue
Venezuela and Mexico have
the federal government for its
offered to take in Cuban refugees
policy of indefinite detention in
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the would be shing grop In lay take force of
notal county (NJ, Fla., wh.)
Leaders say
He said the timing of the
"For example, if a Cuban
announcement had little to
waiter is asked by Clinton to
do with the president's polit-
ical visit to Miami, although
bring a towel or bacon and
pressure
some city officials disagreed.
eggs, he should tell Clinton,
"No, sorry Mr. President we
"I think it was the condi-
don't have any of that. just
for protest
tion of the camp that caused
like in Guantanamo," said
him to move as quickly as he
Armando Gutierrez, a direc-
is easing
did." Rodham said. "He
tor of the Valladarcs Foun-
realized that we needed to
dation in Miami.
get those children and the
Herald staff writer Alfonso
elderly out of there."
Chardy contributed to this
By TOM FIEDLER
An appeal to release the
report.
Herald Political Editor
children even appeared in
President Clinton's deci-
full-page advertisements in
sion to release children and
Friday's New York Times
the elderly from the Guanta-
and Washington Post. In the
namo detention camps
ad. Dr. Manuel Rico Perez
relieved fears that he might
of Miami urged Clinton: "As
face angry demonstrations
a father. 1 know you under-
during tonight's fund-raising
stand. Mr. President, these
visit to Miami.
children beseech you to open
"I feel very, very good,"
the doors of the land of the
City Manager Cesar Odio
free."
said Friday. "We are still
going to see some demon-
Rico said these ads, and
strations, but they will be
another scheduled to run in
very peaceful, just showing
today's Herald, cost him
signs like 'Frce our people.
$73,000 of his own money.
People will show they are
"Maybe the president had
grateful."
my ad along with his break-
Spanish-language radio
fast," Rico said.
commentator Tomas Garcia
Fuste, who hosts call-in pro-
Despite these develop-
grams on WCMQ-AM. said
ments. the presidential
the majority of his callers
motorcade may encounter at
praised the releases and the
least three groups protesting
president.
the decision last month to
"People are elated that
intercept and detain Cuban
people are beginning to be
refugees at "safe havens"
released from the detention
outside the United States.
camps," he said.
The largest of the detention
The president and Mrs.
facilities is at Guantanamo.
Clinton are expected to
The grass-roots Cuban
arrive at Miami Interna-
Unity. which in recent
tional Airport shortly before
months has managed huge
6 p.m. today for a four-hour
anti-Castro rallics in Little
visit intended mostly to
Havana and Hialcah. has
raise money for Democratic
called on Cuban exiles to
U.S. Senate candidates,
line the roads and sidewalks
including her brother, Hugh
that the motorcade is likely
Rodham. of Miami.
to take with signs urging the
The couple are to appear
president to reverse his pol-
first at a $10-per-person
icy and allow the refugees to
rally for Rodham at the Port
come to the United States.
of Miami. They will then
also attend a $10,000-pcr-
The Valladares Founda-
couple dinner at the home of
tion. headed by Armando
Coral Gables businessman
Valladares, a former Cuban
,Hugh Westbrook, finance
political prisoner and U.S.
chairman of the Democratic
ambassador to the United
Senatorial Campaign Com-
Nations human rights com-
mittee.
mission. continued its call
Rodham said Friday that
for Cuban exiles to refuse to
he and his Cuban-American
serve the president if they
wife, Maria Victoria Rod-
have the opportunity.
ham. had spoken to Clinton
and his aides several times
over the past week about the
highly publicized plight of
the detained children.
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Joan
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Clinton's shift could boost support for Mas Canosa
By ALFONSO CHARDY
announced in Washington.
And LIZETTE ALVAREZ
Herald StaffWriters
Praise in Little Havana
'He's done good
The Clinton administration's
In recent days. Mas Canosa
work. Guantanamo
announcement Friday allowing
under:oo< highly publicized
children, the elderly and the
eforts IC persuade Clinten to
was not his fault,
infirm to be released from deten-
release the children in Guanta-
tion camps may boost the
namo, including a meeting with
and as you can see,
recerity battered image of Jorge
Puerto Rican Governor Pedro
Rosello last week :hat resulted in
the situation is
Mas Cañosa, the chairman of :he
Cuban American National Foun-
a letter from Rosello to Clinton
offering the children refuge in
progressing thanks to
dation.
Prio: to the announcement,
Puerte Rico.
him.'
Mas Canosa had been under
Mas Canosa's and the founda-
attack by some exiles who
tion's rele in the policy shift Fri-
ALBERTO PERDOMO,
blamed him for the detention of
day was no: lost on exiles in Lit-
discussing Mas Canosa,
more than 30,000 Cubans a: the
the Havana.
in Calle Ocho barber shop
Guantinamo naval base and
"The bad thing is to sit and do
Panama. After all, they said, Mas
nothing." said Miguel Victorero.
"Mas Canosa is banking that
Cancsa had endorsed President
"The easiest thing to do is just
the Clinton administration will
Clinton's policy of detention,
talk. At east [Mas Canosa is
TM CHAPMAN / Hereld Staff
ma ntain a hard-line policy
which enced the eΓa of welcom-
doing something. He's trying
DIVULGING DETAILS OF CLINTON PLAN: Jorge Mas Canosa, left,
toward Castro and be feels that
ing Cutan refugees with open
And this from Alberto Per-
domo, a visi:or to à Calle Octo
and City Manager Cesar Odio, at City Hall.
as long as Clinton maintains that
arms.
policy he'll support him and
"Jorge has indeed suffered
baibershep: "He's done good
happy that people are going to
travel and cash transfers to Cuba.
when he doesn't he'll break with
some damage from the fallout."
work. Guantamamo was not his
start getting out of the camps."
a major source of revenue for the
him and denounce the policy."
said Pedro Freyre, a Cuban
fault, and as you can see, the situ-
said Tomas Garcia Fuste, news
Cuban government.
Suchlicki said.
American who analyzes the exile
a:ion is progressing thanks to
director at Spanisn-language
In his first public statement
community for the Greater
him."
radio station WCMQ-Cadena
What's more, Clinton enacted
after the Aug. 19 meeting with
Miame-Chamber of Commerce
It was a different story 140
Nacional. "This sentiment will
the detention policy without con-
Clinton, Mas Canosa justified his
Cuba Committee. "But this new
weeks ago.
benefit Mas Canosa indirectly."
sulting Mas Canosa or other exile
actions.
development, the Clinton
"Mas Cancsa, I don't trust that
Mai Canosa did not return a
leaders. Mas Canosa and three
"We would have preferred in
announcement, could help him
man anymore," said Teresa
call to his office seeking com-
other leaders then endorsed Clin-
the foundation and myself per-
recover. With this, the founds-
Pineiro, one of the 15 exiles
ment for this article. But Fran-
ton's overall policy, including
sonally that this measure related
tion has once again demon-
interviewed in Little Havana, 14
cisco "Pepe" Hernandez, the
detention, during a White House
to sending the Cubans to Guan-
strated its ability to deliver tangi-
of whom were critical of Mas
foundation president, said Mas
meeting Aug 19 at the height of
tanamo would not have been
ble political results."
Canosa. "You can't believe what
Canosa has been wrongly vili-
the crisis.
taken," Mas Canosa said on
Mas Canosa and the feunda-
he says anymore."
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Until Friday, many callers on
said, behaved diplomatically,
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Spanish language talk shows
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because Clinton had made the
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planning the announcement and
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Punishing Castro
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approval of the detention policy.
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Yesterday, the criticism began to
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decisions which, he said, would
Canesa was among severa. exile
let up.
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SENT BY:dodAd
:10- 7-94 :10:08AM ;
dodAd-
202 456 9240:# 2
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
October 7, 1994
STATEMENT BY MICHAEL MCCURRY, SPOKESMAN
CUBA: FIRST VOLUNTARY RETURN OF CUBAN MIGRANTS
FROM GUANTANAMO TO CUBA
A first group of 17 Cuban migrants who requested voluntary
return were flown from Guantanamo Naval Base to Havana this
morning aboard an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
plane.
Their return was arranged through diplomatic channels, as
stipulated in the migration agreement concluded between the
United States and the Republic of Cuba in New York on September
19.
Several hundred Cubans at Guantanamo have requested voluntary
return to Cuba. The U.S. Interests Section in Havana is
working with the Cuban authorities concerning the arrangements
for their return home.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 14, 1994
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today announced a series of immediate humanitarian
steps relating to Cubans in safehavens in Guantanamo and Panama.
First, the Attorney General will parole into the United States
chronically ill persons and their caregivers who cannot be
adequately cared for in the camps.
Second, she will parole into the United States unaccompanied
young children now in the safe havens.
Third, she will parole into the United States migrants over 70.
In each case, we will ensure that those paroled in have
appropriate sponsors.
Fourth, the Administration will conduct a review of the status of
all children in the camps.
Fifth, we have launched a major effort to persuade other
countries to accept some of the Cuban migrants.
Sixth, although much remains to be done, significant improvements
-
have been made in the camps including providing better food,
inaugurating mail and telephone service, and improving sanitary
conditions. improvements. Attached is a fact sheet showing the time table for
The administration shares the deep concern of the Cuban-American
community for the well-being of all the Cubans in safehavens.
The root cause of these problems is in Cuba. The administration
is dedicated to pursuing policies which will lead to a rapid and
peaceful movement to democracy in Cuba.
OS 21 94
202 150 7929
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1994
PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDENT
The Bast Room
1:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. In recent weeks the Castro
regime has encouraged Cubans to take to the sea in unsafe vessels
to escape their nation's internal problems. In so doing, it has
risked the lives of thousands of Cubans, and several have already
died in their efforts to leave.
This action is a cold-blooded attempt to maintain the
Castro grip on Cuba, and to divert attention from his failed
communist policies. He has tried to export to the United States
the political and economic crises he has created in Cuba, in
defiance of the democratic tide flowing throughout this region.
Let me be clear: The Cuban government will not succeed in
any attempt to dictate American immigration policy. The United
States will do everything within its power to ensure that Cuban
lives are saved and that the current outflow of refugees is
stopped.
Today, I have ordered that illegal refugees from Cuba will
not be allowed to enter the United States. Refugees rescued at sea
will be taken to our naval base at Guantanamo, while we explore the
possibility of other safe havens within the region.
To enforce this policy, I have directed the Coast Guard to
continue its expanded effort to stop any boat illegally attempting
to bring Cubans to the United States. The United States will
detain, investigate and, if necessary, prosecute Americans who take
to the sea to pick up Cubans. Vessels used in such activities will
be seized.
I want to compliment the Coast Guard and the Immigration
and Naturalization Service for their efforts. And I want to thank
Florida's officials, including Governor Chiles and the Florida
congressional delegation, for their help in protecting and saving
the lives of Cubans who seek to escape the regime.
Helen.
Q
Mr. President, on behalf of all the press corps,
we want to wish you a happy birthday. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q
And now -- (laughter) -- (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you could all do a lot to make it
happy. (Laughter.) That is not a guilt trip; feel no pressure.
(Laughter.) Thank you.
Q
Mr. President, in the last 35 years we've had an
embargo against Cuba and increased the economic burden on them.
I understand that's why the refugees are coming in. What is the
problem with taking a few small, albeit brave, steps to negotiate
a possible movement toward democracy with Cuba? We've dealt with
many communist countries through the last 35 years, and we're
dealing with them now.
THE PRESIDENT: There aren't many left. I support the
embargo, and I support the Cuban Democracy Act, which was passed
in 1992. And I do not believe we should change our policy there.
The fundamental problem is, democracy is sweeping the
world, democracy and freedom are sweeping our hemisphere. In the
Caribbean alone, and in Central and South America and all of this
region, there are only two countries now not democratically
governed with open societies and open economies. The real problem
is the stubborn refusal of the Castro regime to have an open
democracy and an open economy. And I think the policies we are
following will hasten the day when that occurs, and we follow those
policies because we believe they are the ones most likely to
promote democracy and ultimately prosperity for the people of Cuba.
Q
But that's not true of North Korea or China, and
you're dealing with them every day.
THE PRESIDENT: I think the circumstances are different and
I think our policy is correct.
Q
Mr. President, recognizing that you're slowing down
the process, do people fleeing Cuba still get automatic entry to
the United States as political refugees if they're not criminals
or ill?
THE PRESIDENT: No.
Q
You're ending --
08/24/94
06:37
202
7929
"H POLITICAL AFF
2014
THE PRESIDENT: The people leaving Cuba will not be
permitted to come to the United States; they will be sent to safe
havens.
Q
The people who reach here.
THE PRESIDENT: The people who reach here will be
apprehended and will be treated like others. They will be their
cases will be reviewed, Those who qualify can stay, and those who
don't will not be permitted to. They will be now treated like
others who come here.
Brit.
Q
Mr. President, under the law it has always been
clear that the Cuban refugees had a certain priority on staying
here. The policy, of course, has been that anybody who got here
got to stay. What restraints are you operating under in terms of
the law in changing this policy? Or are you likely, sir, to be
sued over this?
THE PRESIDENT: No let me I'm glad you asked that
question in contradistinction to the one you asked right afterward.
The Cuban Adjustment Act will continue to be the law of the land.
But we are doing our best within that
we
will
detain
the
Cubans
who come here now, they will not simply be released into the
population at large. And we will review all their cases in light
of the applicable law, including the Cuban Adjustment Act
O
Do you know how long it will take, how long
THE PRESIDENT: It depends on how many there are, of
course. And we don't know.
Andrea.
Q
Can you give us some more details? Are these
people going to be taken to Guantanamo? What kind of strain might
this place on our naval forces, the Coast Guard? Already we're
being told that drug interdiction is being cut back. And can you
respond to criticism already from Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich? In
particular, Mr. Gingrich said that your new policy is appalling,
it's an example of mixed morality, and that he thinks it is illegal
under the act.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first, let me answer the factual
questions. The refugees, those who are fleeing, will be taken
first to Guantanamo where we will seek safe havens for them. That
is plainly not illegal under international law, nor do we believe
it is illegal under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Secondly, as to whether it is immoral, I just would say it
3
is my belief that the American people and that the Cuban American
people and the people of Florida -- but the people of the entire
United States - - do not want to see another Mariel Boatlift. They
do not want to see Cuba dictate our immigration policy. They do
not want to see Mr. Castro able to export his political and
economic problems to the United States.
Now, that is what is plainly being set up. We have gone
through that once. We had 120,000 people sent to this country as
a deliberate attempt not because they themselves initially
wanted to flee; they were encouraged to flee, they were pushed out;
we had jails open, we had mental hospitals open -- all in an
attempt to export all the problems of Cuba to the United States.
We tried it that way once. It was wrong then, and it's wrong now.
And I'm not going to let it happen again.
Q
Can you respond to that other question?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, that's my answer to them.
Q
What about the naval forces, the Coast Guard? Are
they up to this -- will it affect drug --
THE PRESIDENT: I think the Coast Guard is plainly up to
it. We may have to have a little more Navy support. I met with
the Secretary of Defense this morning; we discussed it at length.
He is confident that we can do what we have to do without
undermining our fundamental mission.
0
President Clinton, previously you said that the
crime bill was something that you supported, that you wanted to
sign as it was. Now you're saying you can take 10 percent out of
it. Why shouldn't the American people believe that there's still
a lot of fat that can come out of it?
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, anytime you start a --I've
never seen a bill that started new programs that you couldn't cut
some and maintain its fundamental integrity. I said that crime
bill was a strong and good bill as it was, and it was a strong and
good bill.
But one of the things that happened in conference that has,
I think, been largely overlooked is that in an attempt to get as
much money as possible for police officers and law enforcement and
for prisons and for border patrol, funds were appropriated or were
authorized in the crime bill that came out of conference in an
amount greater than we could provide in the trust fund.
Keep in mind, the great beauty of this crime bill is it's
the first major program in American history that's being financed
entirely by reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy and taking
all the savings from the federal government and putting it in a
4
trust fund to help grass-roots Americans get better control over
their own lives.
The practical impact of what we are doing by cutting 10
percent of this will be to be able to put everything that's left
into the trust fund. So, in terms of real dollars, I believe there
will be more money actually appropriated and spent for tough law
enforcement and for police officers. And I believe that all the
fundamental important things in the prevention strategy will be
maintained at a very high level, and dramatically higher than now.
The principles of the bill are intact -- it's the biggest
increase in police in the history of the country; it's the toughest
increase in punishment in the history of the country; it's the
biggest increase in prevention programs in the history of the
country.
I am not a member of the Congress. They have to work out
all the details. If they produced this bill out of the conference,
I would have happily supported this, as I did the other one.
0
Wouldn't you just be getting into politics then,
by accepting the original bill?
THE PRESIDENT: Now, that's one of those questions designed
to spoil your birthday. (Laughter.) Because it's something else -
- it's designed to confuse the American people about what really
goes on up here.
The President is not a member of the Congress. The
Congress made a decision that they had a bill that they all wanted.
They accommodated the interests as best they could. It met all my
fundamental criteria assault weapons ban, ban on handgun
ownership by kids, tougher penalties, longer imprisonment, more
prevention. So does this bill. This bill has the added virtue of
being able to be fully funded in the trust fund that we are
creating by reducing the federal government to its lowest size in
30 years.
And if, in fact -- let me just say, Rita -- if, in fact -
- there has been no conference. If in fact, the conference
proceeds along the lines that I generally believe it's going on,
and it has the added virtue of some strengthening of the language
which was put in involving this whole sexual predator issue -- so,
in that sense, I think it is a fine bill that meets all the
criteria, and it doesn't just gut the prevention programs, which
I was determined to see not happen.
0
Mr. President, you say that you're not going to
allow Fidel Castro to dictate U.S. immigration policy. But hasn't
he just done that by forcing you to reverse three decades of a
policy? And secondly, what do you say to Cuban Americans,
017
5
especially in Florida, who feel betrayed by this change in policy?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I believe that most Cuban Americans
want us to be very firm. The Cuban Americans that I know, without
regard to their party, supported the Cuba Democracy Act, and they
remember how awful it was for the United States when the Mariel
Boatlift occurred. They remembered what it did in this country and
how the feelings it engendered in this country. And I do not
believe they want another Mariel Boatlift. And I do not believe
we car. afford to do that. And so my own view is that most Cuban
Americans will support what we're trying to do and wish us to be
firm.
I would remind you that the Attorney General, who is in
charge or oversees the INS, who has done a lot of work on this and
who will have a press conference, I think, when I finish to answer
some of the details of this policy was the prosecuting attorney in
Dade County. I talked to the governor last night at some length
about this -- of Florida.
I think my own feeling is -- and I've talked to Cuban
Americans, of course, exhaustively for years now, and we've been
in touch with them and with the Florida congressional delegation.
I believe this policy will have broad support. I will be surprised
if it does not have broad support.
Q
By telling Cubans basically to stay home and at
least temporarily to stomach conditions there, does that make it
incumbent on you to be more active in seeking to oust Castro?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, what we are telling Cubans is that
we have a provision for their coming to the United States through
in-country processing. And at least as of this date, we have no
evidence that the Castro has done anything to discourage Cubans
from coming to the in-country processing, applying for the visas
if they're eligible to come here, and getting them. That's what
we're saying to them. That is, we do not have any evidence that
would justify believing that that that process won't work in Cuba
as it has in other places. And, indeed, the Castro government has
encouraged Cubans to go down and apply to come here. But we don't
object to that, that's the policy we have everywhere and that's the
policy we should have there.
Q
But doesn't that make it incumbent on you to
unilaterally or multinationally press for the ouster of Castro in
some way -- military, economic -- whatever?
THE PRESIDENT: The United States had done more than any
other country to try to bring an end to the Castro government. We
have done it through the Cuban Democracy Act. We have done it
through the embargo. We have worked hard, often laboring almost
alone, to that end. And we will continue to do that by whatever
REASONABLE MEANS ARE AUAILABLE TO us.
unfold. I know for a you it's been going on a long time, since we
first began to debate this a year and a half ago. I think for the
American people, it's almost like the baseball season -- the
pennant's just. begun. I hope we can have the pennant in the other
one, too, and the series. But I think we need to let this thing
unfold a little more; I wouldn't prejudge it yet
0
Mr. President, back to the crime bill. If the
approach you're offering now, the changes you re offering now, does
not produce enough votes to pass the bill, will you under any
circumstances agree to sever the assault weapon ban for a separate
vote in the House and the Senate?
THE PRESIDENT: I won't agree to that because I think it's
a mistake. And let me say -- I don) t want to overly comment on it,
but let me try to describe what the problem is. The bill has
already passed the House. But in the Senate, as you know, we could
have 55, 56, 57, 59 votes for that bill in the Senate and it could
still be filibustered. And we should not permit that to happen.
I also believe that there is a chance that this whole
process in the last few days -- we may look back on this in a year
or so and think that this was the beginning of an effort, again,
in other areas to work in good faith across party lines. I have
shown my good faich. I have Laken the risk that all poople take
when they talk to people who are opposed to them of being asked the
questions like Rita asked me. But in this town it won't work if
we have American problems unless we try to reach out across party
lines. A lot of these issues don't work like that.
So if we can work through this in good faith, my view is
that we'll maybe be setting the stage to have more things like
NAFTA and the Brady Bill, and the education bills, and then this
ore where we can work together. So I don't believe we will have
to do that, and I am against doing it. I think it would be a real
error.
Q
Mr. President, Fidel Castro has been very high on
the list of American demonology because he is a national security
threat. I think of the Cuban missile crisis; he would provide a
base for the Soviet Union. That's all ended now. Do you foresee
a form of government, democratic government, in Havana with free
elections that includes Fidel Castro? Or is it a case that Castro
must go before there's any normalization?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, in any democracy it's up to the
people to make their own decisions. The United States does not
pick leaders or delete leaders for other countries; we let people
make their own decisions.
I don't want to get into that. I think what we need is a
movement toward democracy and a free economy.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 20, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Over the past two weeks, the government of Cuba has
taken actions to provoke a mass exodus to the United States. These
actions have placed thousands of Cuban citizens at risk in small
boats and rafts, and have had a direct impact or. our national
interest.
I want to thank the Cuban American community for their
courageous restraint in not taking their own boats to Cuba to fuel
the exodus, and thank the officials of Florida -- Governor Chiles,
the congressional delegation, the people from Dade County and others
-- who have worked so closely with us.
Yesterday, I announced steps to counter Castro's efforts
to export his problems by provoking an exodus. Today, I'm announcing
additional actions consistent with the Cubar. Democracy Act to limit
the ability of the Cuban government to accumulate foreign exchange
and to enable us to expand the flow of information to the Cuban
people.
Specifically, cash remittances to Cuba will no longer be
permitted. Family gift packages will be limited to medicine, food
and strictly humanitarian items; and transfer of funds for
humanitarian purposes will require specific authorization of the
Treasury Department. Second, the only charter flights permitted
between Miami and Havana will be those clearly designed to
accommodate legal immigrants and travel consistent with the purposes
of the Cuban Democracy Act. Third, the United States will use all
appropriate means to increase and amplify its international
broadcasts to Cuba.
The solution to Cuba's many problems is not an
uncontrolled exodus, it is freedom and democracy for Cuba.
The United States will continue to bring before the
United Nations and other international organizations evidence of
human rights abuses, such as the sinking of the tugboat "13th of
March." Meanwhile we will pursue this courselwith vigor and
determination.
END
"
ST02
1929
POLI
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 23, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
At the request of Governor Lawton Chiles, the Administration is sending a delegation
of senior officials to south Florida tomorrow to consult with the community on the current
outflow Cuban/oLmigrants The delegation includes officials from the White House, the
Department of State, the National Security Council staff and the Department of Defense.
These meetings continue our close consultations with elected State and local officials and
community, civic and political groups in Florida.
As the President said when he announced these actions last week, the United States
will do everything within its power to ensure that Cuban lives are saved, that migrants
picked up at sea are given safe haven outside the US, but that they will not be admitted to
the U.S.
###
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
CON EL RUEGO DE SU PUBLICACION
23 Agosto, 1994
A petición del Gobernador Lawton Chiles, la administración del Presidente Bill
Clinton está enviando una delegación de altos funcionarios al Sur de la Florida mañana
Miércoles, 24 Agosto para consultar con miembros de la comunidad sobre la actual
situación de los Cubanos que estan abandonando la isla de Cuba en balsas.
Esta delegación incluye oficiales de la Casa Blanca, el Departamento de Estado,
el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional y el Departamento de Defensa. Estas reuniones son
parte de nuestro continuo esfuerzo de consultar con los oficiales electos, líderes cívicos y
políticos de la Florida.
Como informara el Presidente Clinton la semana pasada cuando anunció medidas
para enfrentar la actual situación, nosotros haremos todo lo que esté en nuestro poder
para asegurar que las vidas de estos Cubanos no peligran. Los Cubanos que sean
recogidos en altamar no seran admitidos a los EE UU, pero van a ser llevados a un area
de refugio seguro fuera de los Estados Unidos.
###
03/23:94
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POLITICAL AFF
001
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
INDEX
Monday, August, 22 1994
Briefers: Peter Tarnoff
Mort Halperin
Doris Meissner
Christine Shelly
CUBA
Opening Remarks by Under Secretary Tarnoff
......
1-2
US Immigration Policy/Safehavens/Asylum
2-11
-- Cuban Adjustment Act
9
Discussions with US re: Migration
4-5,9
Reason for Migration
5
Policy on Voluntary Repatriation
5
Treatment of Cubans Applying for Emigration to US 5-6
US Consultations at UN
6
NIGERIA
Arrest of Labor Leaders/US Reaction
15-16
SOMALIA
US Motorcade Fired on
16-17
UN Indian Peacekeepers Killed
17
MEXICO
Elections
17-21
KOREA
Resumption of Expert-Level Talks
21-22
IAEA Inspection Policy
22-23
!
OPTIONAL FORM 39 (7-90)
FAX transmittal
1 of pages
From
To
Lula
Phone #
Dept/Agency
Fax $
Fax ,
08/23/91
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202 647 0241
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPC #121
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1994, 1:39 P. M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MS. SHELLY: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm pleased to begin today's press briefing by introducing
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Peter
Tarnoff, Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior
Director Democracy Mort Halperin, and Commissioner for the
Immigration and Naturalization Service Doris Meissner who
are here to address the Cuban issue.
Under Secretary Tarnoff will begin with some remarks,
after which all three will be prepared to take your
questions. Following this, I will address your questions on
other issues, should you decide that you have any. Thank
you very much.
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Thank you, Christine. Good
afternoon. Why don't I begin with a statement and then, as
Christine indicated, we will be available for your questions.
For over 30 years the United States has had a policy
of promoting peaceful change in Cuba. The measures
announced by the President over the past few days are fully
consistent with this policy. They are designed to control
unauthorized migration to help address the humanitarian
plight of desperate people and to keep the Castro regime
from benefiting from its abuse of human rights.
By encouraging Cuban citizens to put to sea in flimsy
vessels, the regime has callously endangered the lives of
thousands. The fact that so many are willing to take such
an extreme risk is a sign of their belief that meaningful
political and economic change in Cuba is not possible under
the present regime.
Fidel Castro has spoken correctly of the Cuban people
as the country's leading resource. But by his attempt to
use unregulated emigration in order to create a safety valve
for his regime, he is sacrificing that very resource.
617 0211
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Monday, 8/22/94
We are actively exploring with other nations in the
region the establishment of safehavens. When such
arrangements are arrived at, they will be announced by the
host countries concerned. I believe that there will be such
announcements shortly.
For the past decade, there has been an in-country
refugee processing program, one of only four in the world,
in Cuba. We give great importance to legal immigration from
Cuba, and the legal immigrant ceiling for Cubans coming to
the United States has not been reached since the signing of
the 1984 Migration Agreement.
igisa
We are considering means of augmenting legal
emigration from Cuba, and we are also prepared tc discuss
legal emigration with the Cuban Government The proper form
to do is the Bilateral Migration Talks which began in 1984.
The additional measures announced Saturday by the
President are not aimed at the Cuban people but are intended
to limit the ability of the Cuban Government to accumulate
foreign exchange which it car. use to sustain its structures
tc suppress dissent. These steps are also aimed at
expanding the flow of information to the Cuban people.
These measures also are entirely consistent with the Cuban
Democracy Act of 1992 which the Administration strongly
supports.
Again, let me repeat that it is the Castro Government
which bears heavy responsibility for the suffering of the
people of Cuba. We're prepared to go to questions.
Q
Could I ask you just a couple of technical
questions. So far as the people who will be given sanctuary
in other countries in havens, will they be eligible to be
processed as political refugees, and how about the people
who we -- I assume that people still can maybe get to shore
here without being intercepted, which also raises the
question, are you simply trying to block -- I know Perry's
ruled out a blockade, Are you trying to make it impossible
for Cubans to get here on their own hook? And what if they
007 Are they still eligible to be political retugees?
what did you do to the law which granted them political
asylum? Did you find 8 loophole?
MS. MEISSNER: As to those who are presently at
Guantanamo and will move on to other safehaven sites, they
are being, as you know, rescued, and they will receive
international protection. Those safehaven sites are
situations of first asylum, such as exist around the world.
They will be administered by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, and they will receive
international protection.
202 647 0211
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Monday, 8/22/94
You ask then about people intercepted and coming to --
Q
Before you leave them, will those people -- I
don't know what they mean.
MS. MEISSNER: And they will not --
!
If they wanted to stay home, they would have
stayed at home. Now they're going into camps, which may be
marginally better than staying at home. Their objective was
to come to the United States. Do they have a shot at it?
MS. MEISSNER: No, they do not.
Q
So you keep them for a while and then ship them
back? Is that the idea?
MS. MEISSNER: Their stay is indefinite at this point.
0
Okay. How about the folks that manage to get
here on those rafts, if people do get here, if you're not
out hunting them down?
MS. MEISSNER: There are very few that actually are
getting here. The vast majority are being rescued by the
Coast Guard, and we expect that will continue.
0
And the few that get here also --
MS. MEISSNER: The few that get here are being
detained. They are in detention, presently at the INS
detention center called Krome in Miami.
Q
Can't they try to make a case that they' re
political refugees?
MS. MEISSNER: If they're in the United States, they
have the right to apply for political asylum.
0
And what if somebody's given haven in some
island, can he try to make a case, or is he automatically
sent back home?
MS. MEISSNER: At the present time, we do not
envision any kind of screening or refugee processing for
those people.
!
Has there been any evidence 50 far that any of
the Cubans that have been intercepted are prisoners in
Cuba? That was a problem with the Mariel boat lift.
-4-
Monday, 8/22/94
MS. MEISSNER: we have no evidence of that at the
present time, although we are checking everybody's records.
Q
And the second question would be, will there be
processing actually taking place at Guantanamo Bay, or will
that be -- that's where the processing will be taking place?
MS. MEISSNER: What will happen and what is happening
at Guantanamo Bay, because the first 575 have now arrived
there, they are being registered, and then they are being
counseled by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees as to what safehaven involves.
Q
Peter, your statement that peaceful change is
not possible under the Castro regime has a certain
implication -- possible implications. Is the implication
that the United States is prepared to do something more
directly to remove the Castro regime and therefore create
the atmosphere for peaceful change?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Jim, in my remarks, I said
that the Cubans who were taking to the rafts and going out
on the sea had reached the conclusion, on the basis of our
conversations with them, that it is highly unlikely that
there will be peaceful change in Cuba, and that is the
reason that they have taken this great risk by going out
onto the ocean.
I think our point of view has been, again for thee
decades, that it is in the interests of the hemisphere and
above all the people of Cuba for this peaceful change to
occur, and the Cuban Democracy Act provides a blend of
incentives and measures for the United States to help
promote that change.
Q
You mentioned in your opening statement the
United States was prepared to discuss migration with Fidel
Castro. Is that like a face-to-face type discussion, and
are you willing to discuss anything other than migration
with him?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: No. As I mentioned in the
statement, we have had for the past ten years a series of
talks with the Cuban Government at mid-level in both of our
governments -- talks about migration issues. There have
been, I think, half a dozen of those meetings over the last
three years, and we are proposing that the same level
meeting dealing only with migration issue be reconvened so
as to discuss the present condition.
Q
so discussions with Castro, other than on that
topic, are out?
-5-
Monday, 8/22/94
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: That's right. There's no
prospect of a dialogue on other matters. We feel that the
Cuban Government must attend to its responsibility for the
current emergency, and that the proper place fo: that
dialogue to take place is in the migration talk format.
Q
Secretary Tarnoff, several questions come to
cind. I think we'll start with are the Cubans -- is the
Castro regime and the police authorities doing anything at
all to prevent this exodus, or (1) are they forcing any
people into the sea; and I think it would be interesting to
know if any of those who have been returned have been
captured -- recaptured and taken back into Cuba have been
persecuted? What is happening to them?
And then, finally, why are so many going to sea at
this time? What's behind it?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Let me answer the question
first of all in a larger context and then a more immediate
one. I think a larger context is that there is very little
evidence that the Government of Cuba is taking the kind of
measures which will reassure its population that there is
much hope, and that is why we are seeing the levels of
despair leading to this kind of mass emigration. People are
simply giving UP on the government because of the dismal
record not only of political persecution but of lack of
interest in political and economic reform.
The government clearly is not unhappy to see people
leaving the way they are now departing. There is not any
evidence, as Doris Meissner indicated. that they are
evacuating facilities as they did in 1980, so that so-called
undesirables would be part of the flow. But, nonetheless,
the government is finding ways to encourage and make it
possible for this emigration to take place.
When you talk about people who are returning, I think
you might only be referring to those few Cubans who over the
past years have chosen to return to Cuba. And when 8 Cuban
who has taken refuge in the United States asks to return, we
notify the Cuban Government, and we make arrangements for
that person -- again voluntarily -- to go back to Cuba, and
we seek assurances from the Cuban Government that these
people will not suffer consequences as a result of their
desire to return.
Q
Do we see persecution of those few that have
been returned on boats and have been recaptured and those
who are going to our Interests Section and making
application? Do we see persecution, particularly of those
people who want to get out?
08/23/91
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UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: There have been cases in
the past in which not only people -- not people who were
returned, but people who have expressed a desire to emigrate
have suffered when they have had to go back to their
Geighborhoods and wait for the legal emigration to be
effected
Q
You say you're going to discuss safehaven
possibilities with a number of countries in the region.
Well, there are a number of countries in the region that
have diplomatic relations with Cuba. Do you expect those
countries to be open to safehaven possibilities?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Again, it will be up to
those countries to make the announcements, and I think we
will have some shortly, but, yes, I think that among those
countries providing safehavens will be countries which have
diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Q
A question: Now that some of the people are
talking about blockade, some other time comes to mind. Have
there been any consultations with the Russians? Have the
Russians showed any interests in what's going on? Have you
been communicating with them, or is it just U.S.-Cuban
matter?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: To my knowledge, the
conversations with the Russians have taken place in the
context of the U.N. Security Council where informally the
matters have been discussed. I can't tell you of any direct
bilateral conversations with Russia on the issue, but the
matter is discussed in New York and, of course, Russia as a
permanent member of the Security Council is a part of those
conversations.
Q
(Inaudible) -- with the blockade issue which is
being mentioned over the last two days. Do you think you
have to consult the Russians or again would you just go
ahead and do what you want?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Let me say that the
Administration, the President in particular, is not ruling
in or ruling out any particular measure, but that a blockade
as such is not presently being contemplated.
Q
Do we understand correctly that Cubans in Cuba
who seek to come to the United States -- the only way they
can now do that is in-country processing in Havana or
somehow eluding the Coast Guard and arriving on our shores,
which is very unlikely. Is that correct?
MS. MEISSNER: For people coming out of Cuba legally,
they can come, number one, through the in-country refugee
If
POLITICAL
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rocessing program, if they have a claim for persecution.
ut they may also come as legal immigrants in the same way
S the people who want to immigrate here from any other
ountry. We have a normal migration relationship with Cuba
here legal immigration is concerned.
So they are eligible for immigrant visas. More than
000 people have come so far this fiscal year with
mmigrant visas, and that process operates by people --
elatives in the United States filing applications for
them. We intend to be emphasizing that much more directly
than has been the case in the past, and we intend to be
working much more closely with the Cuban-American community
in this country to be sure that they are making applications
for their relatives.
Q
Just to follow up, but if you do get in a raft
or a boat, is there any way that you are going to gain entry
to the United States under the new regime -- under the new --
MS. MEISSNER: No.
0
Peter, or whoever is best equipped to answer
this question: The Administration's critics are saying that
this policy is in fact against the law, it's breaking the
law. Newt Gingrich, among others, has made that charge.
Can you walk us through how you rationalize the existing
policy, and how it is not in contravention of existing law?
MS. MEISSNER: The existing law that is referred to
is called the Cuban Adjustment Act. The Cuban Adjustment
Act is a law that was passed in 1966, and it allows for the
adjustment tc permanent residence of Cubans who have been in
the United States for at least one year.
The law says that the Cubans who are in the United
States eligible for the Cuban Adjustment Act must have been
inspected or admitted, which is a legal procedure of coming
to the United States under authorized means.
The Act was passed in 1966 in order to give a legal
status to people who were brought to the United States,
again in an authorized fashion, after the Cuban revolution.
It is a law that has remained on the books, but it applies
only to people who are already here and have come, having
been inspected or admitted.
Q
So the custom of allowing people in, as they
were, even in the Mariel boat period, was more a custom
rather than the actual -- we weren't fulfilling obligations
of the existing -- bill
MS. MEISSNER: That's right. It was a policy choice.
0202 647 0211
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Monday, 8/22/94
&
The people who are being held right now at
Krome, what is their status? How long are they going to be
held there? And is there any chance of their being
released, or what's their situation?
MS. MEISSNER: Their situation is that they're
detained. There are a little more than 500 right now. They
will have full due process rights as do other people who
come to the United States improperly but who can take
advantage of their rights under the immigration law.
0
What happens with the Cubans that leave through
the Guantanamo base? Will the procedure be the same as the
ones that come in rafts?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: People who leave -- I'm
sorry?
Q
Who leave through the base at Guantanamo?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Who --
0
Leave the island and walk directly to
Guantanamo base, what will happen to them?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: The gate is closed and
people will not be admitted. If anybody does find their way
onto the base directly from Cuba, they will be treated in
the same way as the people who are rescued at sea and
brought to the base.
Q
How long -- if their detention is indefinite
and there is no prospect for democratic or economic change
in Cuba, as you have said, how soon are you going to start
negotiating, or will you start negotiating with Castro to
take them back even though Castro himself said recently in a
press conference that, according to their own laws, these
people are subject to jail?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Let me answer the political
part of that, and that is, since the Mariel boat lift the
United States has been attempting to reach an agreement with
*
Cuba for the Castro government to accept back several
thousand people -- the so-called "excludables" who were put
into the Mariel boat lift deliberately by Castro in 1980.
We've not succeeded in doing so. Obviously, if there are
people in that category in the current flow, we would
çontinue our attempts to have them returned as well.
Q
What about the rest of the people who are not
criminals and such as happened with the Mariel excludables
that you're talking about? We're assuming that not all of
08/23/94
10:40
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the thousands of detainees will be criminals. Sc what will
happen with the rest of them? Where are you gcing to hold
them indefinitely, and how scon, or will you negotiate to
send them back?
MS. MEISSNER: As Mr. Tarnoff said, that is not a
negotiation that is contemplated. The very, very, very
large majority of this flow will be in safehavens settings
in the region. There are a small number, as we know, that
are in the United States. Their detention is indefinite.
As I said, they have due process rights available, and that
due process will play itself out.
0
Can we ask again, how long do you contemplate
them staying in these safehavens?
MS. MEISSNER: As we said, that's indefinite.
Q
Have our people from the Interests Section in
Havana met with the Cuban Government to discuss this change
in policy? And has there been any response from the Cuban
Government?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Yes. Before the
announcement and after the announcement by the President on
Saturday there were meetings both here and in Havana when
U.S. officials informed -- notified -- the Cuban Government
of our policy and the reasons for the policy. There was not
a significant exchange, but we did notify the Cuban
Government both before and after the President's
announcement of what our intentions were.
Q
You've had no response since then?
Q
To what extent is the United States now
treating Cuba pretty much the same as Haiti with the recent
steps, both on the question of refugees and putting
pressures to try to bring about a change of the government?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: I think you can say that
for now we are treating both cases substantially in the same
manner.
0
Can you give us some idea of the numbers you're
expecting in terms of your preparations in the safehaven
areas -- those announced at Guantanamo Bay and those not yet
announced? what are you asking these other countries in
terms of numbers?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: I'd rather not get into a
speculation about numbers until the announcements are made
by these countries. But I think that we will have
substantial slots available in the near future for Cubans
617 0211
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Monday, 8/22/94
going into the safehavens. But those invitations, so to
speak, will have to be confirmed by the governments
themselves.
O
So logistically, you're asking them to prepare
safehavens and there has to be some amount expected?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: That's right. And when the
countries themselves decide to make the decisions, it will
be possible for all of you to know exactly what's available
in the countries.
Q
Just a little factual question. Slots --
normal immigration: How many slots are there for Cubans;
how many have been used at this point?
You're speaking of the normal way of coming in?
MS. MEISSNER: Right, right, the normal way of
coming. So far this year, through July of this fiscal year,
2,300 refugees have come to the United States from Cuba;
2.059 immigrants have come from Cuba, again, through July of
this fiscal year. It gives us the final quarter to go.
One can work up to a ceiling of 20,000.
2
That's for immigration?
MS. MEISSNER: That's for immigration, and refugees
that are apart from that. So there's substantial room for
additional immigration.
Q
Just to follow up on that. That's not filled
because you don't have enough applicants, or because you're
finding people ineligible?
MS. MEISSNER: No, because there are not enough
applicants.
0
Can you explain to us why, if you can talk to
North Korea, you can't talk to the Cuban Government except
on these low-level migration talks? Do they need to get a
bomb?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: Each country is different.
But all I can say is that over the year -- and not just in
the course of this Administration -- the Government of Cuba
has given absolutely no indication that it is prepared to
deal in a serious way with the root causes of the crisis in
Cuba; namely, the lack of political and economic reform, the
repression of its own people This is only a determination
made by the Clinton Administration. But there has not been
PA/PRS
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-11-
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any significant evidence that the Government of Cuba is
prepared to deal with the root causes.
Given the fact that these consequences directly
impact on the United States, we feel that the first measures
have to be taken by the Government of Cuba to address what
happens to be the crisis in its own management of its own
society. That's where the process should begin.
Q
In the Wall Street Journal this morning, there
was some speculation that a significant presence of Cubans
in Guantanamo would provide an opportunity for perhaps some
political agitation for a political presence of opposition
or. the island of Cuba. To what extent would the United
States be willing to tolerate any political activities by
these people on Guantanamo?
MR. HALPERIN: No such step is contemplated. These
people are in a safehaven status, protected by the U.N. High
Commissioner and that will remain their status.
0
Since you drew a parallel between Haiti and
Cuba, does the United States now expect to go to the United
Nations for support from the Security Council for a certain
kind of resolution? If so, what kind of resolution?
UNDER SECRETARY TARNOFF: What the President
announced on Saturday was that we would make increased
efforts at the United Nations to bring a whole series of
Cuban human rights abuses to the attention of not only the
Security Council but the U.N. Commission for Human Rights.
There has been a pattern of abuse that has been
pointed out in various U.N. fora for decades. We are
determined to make even clearer tc the Security Council and
elsewhere in the U.N. that the human rights abuses of the
Castro Administration are among the policies that have
produced the kind of crises that we now seeing.
0
Just a follow-up. What do you want the U.N. to
do?
MS. SHELLY: Thank you.
(Following the above briefing, the Daily Briefing
commenced at 1:05 p.m. with Deputy Spokesman Christine
Shelly.)
MS. SHELLY: Thank you very much. Sorry, our
briefers do not have anymore time. They've all got to get
off to other meetings which were actually supposed to start
a few minutes to go.
:H POLITICAL
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FORGUSON
Co. ATSD-PA
Phone ,
Phone
5-0192
Fax , 5-8404
Fax . 7-3501
Secretary of Defense William J. Perry
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mortimore Downey
Admiral Paul David Miller, Commander, U.S. Atlantic Command
Rear Admiral William Lahey, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District
Key West, Florida
Monday, August 22, 1994
Secretary Petry. Thank you very much, Dennis.
Secretary Downey and I made this trip down here today - and we're going on
to Guantanamo after we finish our visit here- because we wanted to get a
firsthand assessment of the operations being conducted jointly by the Navy and the
Coast Guard to rescue the Cuban migrants who were fleeing from Cuba in the last
few days.
This has been a very complex operation The Navy and the Coast Guard
have worked closely together in executing it I must say that Tm enormously
impressed with the effectiveness of this operation and the way in which the Navy
and the Coast Guard are working together on it. It has been successful in saving
hundreds of lives. It's being done very professionally and with great compassion. I
want to take this opportunity, though, to urge Cubans not to get on these votes, not
to come to sea. It's a very dangerous operation. We are doing our best to save the
people who are going out on these makeshift boats, and so far have been successful.
The Cuban migrants that we are picking up, we are transporting to
Guantanamo and when I finish here in Key West today we will be flying next to
Guantanamo to view the facilities being prepared there for their arrival.
€033
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We have brought into this area already 25 ships- - 19 Coast Guard cutters
and six Navy ships. Three more Navy ships will be here in the next 24 to 48 hours.
We have accommodated a flow of migrants which has exceeded a thousand people a
day in the last few days. We don't know how many more we are expecting in the
next few days, so we are prepared to continue to accommodate if that flow
migrants. continues. We are preparing facilities at Guantanamo Bay for receiving these
rd like to turn over the podium to Secretary Downey and let him describe
Coast Guard operations here. Then he and I and Admiral Lahey and Admiral
Miller will be available for any of your questions.
Deputy Secretary Downey. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
On behalf of the Department of Transportation, Tm down here with
Secretary Perry to look at what both the Coast Guard and the Navy are doing. As
he said, it is a fully integrated operation. The Coast Guard has deployed 20 cutters
and will have more here. It's very complex, both in terms of picking up the
migrants out of the straits and moving them all the way to Guantanamo. As be
said, we would much prefer it if the Cubans would not put their lives at risk. It's
very, very risky out there. The operation is with many, many rafts, inner tubes,
and other makeshift vessels. As such, we can't be sure that we're catching them
all, but we are deing our best to do that and we will keep it up as of now. We are
keeping up with the flow, but it's putting a tremendous strain on the Coast Guard
and on the Navy. We want to keep at it.
Well be glad to answer your questions.
Q: (Inaudible)
Secretary Perry: I comment only by observing that Guantanamo is fenced off
and we do not permit Cubans to enter Guantanamo. Up until now, the Cuban
government has not permitted Cubans to approach that, but the barriers there are
really both Cuban and American. We have fences and gates and guards set up to
prevent that from happening.
Q: What would happen if [inaudible]?
Secretary Perry: The guards there would have instructions to prevent that
from happening.
Ö:
[Inaudible]
Secretary Perry: I don't know how far I can go in speculating on "what ifs"
here, but the guards are there to prevent that from happening.
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Q: [Inaudible]
Secretary Perry: We are concentrating all of our efforts and all of our
planning now in dealing with the migrant flow. All of the resources in this area, all
the Naval boats, all the naval ships and the Coast Guard ships are directed to that
end. That is, to picking up the migrants. We do not have orders or directions at
this time to effect an economic blockade. That's a very different operation It would
require more resources, more ships than we have located here to do that.
&
[Inaudible]
Secretary Perry. That's an option, but that's not part of our present
planning.
#
[Inaudible]
Secretary Perry. We're still conducting the blockade in Haiti. Let me ask
Admiral Miller to comment further on that.
Admiral Miller: We've shifted [some] of the assets we've had enforcing
sanctions off of Haiti, but we still have six units enforcing the sanctions there. The
Coast Guard units are still there with their migrant interdiction operation. And Tm
very comfortable, and reported to Secretary Perry on the way down here, that the
Haiti sanction effort is in force. The [inaudible] operation is in force, and the non-
combatant evacuation operation, that capability is still intact while this operation is
being conducted separately.
Q: (Inaudible)
Admiral Lahey: That hasn't been brought to our attention. We have enough
assets out there between the Navy and the Coast Guard to pick up all the rafts that
are spotted out there. They're probably safer during this period of time than they
have ever been in the past, just because of the assets we have out there Not only
the surface assets, but also the aerial detection and monitoring that we're doing on
a 24-hour-a-day basis.
Q: [Inaudible]
Admiral Lahey: No, we have a restricted zone out there. It was established,
I believe, on Saturday morning. We have military planes flying in those areas, and
that's just a safety precaution. I think it's 5,000 feet and below.
Q: [Inaudible]
Secretary Perry. We are making plans now to provide for up to 10,000
refugees at Guantanamo. And we will reach that, well have that provision ready
by the end of this week. We also have the potential of accommodating up to 2,500
people at the TCI -- the Turks & Caicos Islands. We could provide an additional,
'0'20' too 7929
"If
AFF
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perhaps, 2,500 at Suriname. Whenever the new government in Panama is in place
the first of September, we also can provide a safehaven for refugees in Panama.
Thank you very much.
.END.
"H POLITICAL AFF
AUG 24 SA 12:07PM
P.2
PRESS RELEASE
24 August 1994
For Immediate Distribution
Press Contact:
(202) 401-7013
RADIO MARTI EXPANDS
SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS
(Washington, D.C.)
The office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), which
oversees Radio Marti, the official U.S. government-sponsored radio broadcasts to
Cuba, announced that Radio Marti has added seven new frequencies to its shortwave
transmissions. In addition, Radio Marti intends to continue utilizing three of
its previously-assigned shortwave frequencies in order to provide the Cuban
audience with more alternatives to be able to hear Radio Marti.
This frequency expansion is staggered throughout Radio Marti's 24-hour
broadcast schedule. As the attached broadcast schedule shows, during much of the
day, the Cuban people will have two shortwave frequencies broadcasting Radio
Marti's programming.
The new shortwave frequency schedule makes it more difficult for the Cuban
government to jam Radio Marti broadcasts. It is another example of President
Clinton's commitment to increase the flow of objective, uncensored and
comprehensive news and information to Cuba.
Radio Marti's shortwave frequency expansion was implemented at 7:00 p.m.
on Monday, August 23. Radio Marti has aired regular announcements designed to
inform the Cuban people of the new broadcast frequencies.
Dr. Rolando Bonachea, Director of Radio Marti, stated, "This recent Radio
Marti broadcast initiative will enhance our accessibility to our audience in
Cuba. with this expanded shortwave broadcast schedule, the Cuban people will
have more opportunities to listen to the message of freedom, democracy and human
rights which Radio Marti provides."
-30-
NEW RADIO MARTI SHORTWAVE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE AT 7:00 P.M., 8-23-94
TIME (E.R.T.)
PREQUENCIES (kHz)
2:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.
6030 (No Change)
8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
9615 and 11730 (New Frequencies)
10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
11740 (New Frequency)
3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
11930 (No Change)
7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
9525 (No Change) and
11950 (New Frequency)
8:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
9525 (No Change) and
11910 (New Frequency)
10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
9525 (No Change) and
6190 (New Frequency)
11:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.
9525 (No Change) and
6120 (New Frequency)
P.1
ALG 22 .34 11:29PM
United States Information Agency
INFORMATION MEMO
August 23, 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR:
B - Joseph B. Bruns
B - Geoffrey Cowan
THROUGH:
B/C - Richard M. Lobo RL(Augo)
FROM:
B/C - Rolando E. Bonachea neB
SUBJECT:
OCB Response to Crisis in Cuba Update,
August 22-23
In an effort to amplify and broaden its broadcasting into Cuba, Radio Marti is planning to
increase the output of its Marathon, Florida transmitter, effective Wednesday morning.
TV Marti expanded its newscast from half-hour to an hour in anticipation of an expanded
broadcast schedule from 3:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Seven short wave frequencies were added to Radio Marti's broadcasting schedule. The promo
announcing the change in frequencies began to air every fifteen minutes at 4:30 p.m.
Radio Marti broadcast the full list of Cubans being held in the Guantanamo Naval Base during
a special one-hour program at midnight. The program was interspersed with correspondent
reports gathering reactions to the crisis in Cuba from Cuban-American opinion leaders. The
advisory that fleeing Cubans would not be granted transit to the U.S. continues to be aired every
half-hour. This special program will continue indefinitely.
Arrangements are being made for a Radio Marti reporter to travel to Guantanamo Naval Base
Friday morning or earlier if possible.
Expanded newscasts featured statements by U.S. Government officials detailing the evolving
procedures for implementation of the new policies.
Frequent weather reports continue to emphasize treacherous tropical conditions for small
vessels in the Florida Straits.
14-1215
(11-32)
05
24
94
00 is
202 150 7929
"H POLITICAL
P.2
AUG 23 '34 11:30PM
Pleas by celebrities, church and community leaders calling upon Cubans not to risk suicide in
the "corridor of death" continued to be highlighted in all newscasts and feature programa.
Tragic stories by survivors of the perilous journey were featured in contrast to the reports of
the thousands rescued at sea daily and being detained in Guantanamo.
The focus of our entertainment programs was shifted from light fare to sober warnings against
leaving the island and public service announcements reading the scores of names of those in
Guantanamo and Krome Avenue Detention Centers. Cartelera Popular, a top-40's musical
show, Dos a las Dos, a live magazine format show and Musica para Todos were among the
shows reading the names.
A special Rueda de Prensa aired on Monday night featuring an interview with Hermanos al
Rescate pilot, Jose Basulto's eye-witness of accounts of the tragedies in the corridor of death.
The regular 9 p.m. slot was followed by a special half-hour newscast at 9:30 p.m.
Focus on the plight of Cuban youths, who represent the largest group of those fleeing, was
placed in news and programming.
Secretary of Defense Perry's statements, U.S. Government efforts to identify third country safe
havens for Cuban refugees were reported on as well as White House and State Department
briefings.
A half-hour wrap up will air at midnight gathering all the Cuba in crisis news of the day
(August 23).
cc:
D . Joseph Duffey
D - Penn Kemble
CL - Doug Wilson
24
039
AUG 22 "34 10:07PM
United States Information Agency
INFORMATION MEMO
August 22, 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR: B . Joseph B. Bruns
B . Geoffrey Cowan
THROUGH:
B/C - Richard M. Lobo
2m8
FROM:
B/C . Rolando E. Bonachea REBenven)
SUBJECT:
Radio Marti Coverage of Crisis in Cuba
Since August 18
Radio Martí has provided continuous coverage of US-Cuba policy pronouncements
throughout the weekend as developments have unfolded regarding the Cuban migration crisis.
This memorandum lists news and programming initiatives at Radio and TV Marti in response
to the Cuban crisis as of COB August 18, 1994.
Both Martis have covered all press conferences by Administration officials. Radio Marti
covered live with simultaneous translations President Clinton's mid-day press conference on
Friday, August 18, as well as that of Attorney General Janet Reno's the preceding night.
Radio Marti repeated President Clinton's statement on Cuban migration policy during the
Friday press conference every 15 minutes on Friday, and every half-hour on Saturday
morning.
The four-point policy pronouncement announced by President Clinton on Saturday,
August 19, has received major play time on Radio and TV Marti. Radio Marti repeated
President Clinton's announcement every half-hour on Saturday afternoon and every hour on
Sunday. Both stations continue to report on the policy pronouncement.
Radio Marti's five and seven-minute newscasts on the half-hour and hour, respectively,
were expanded to 10-15 minutes during the weekend to include more material regarding the
change in US-Cuba policy, warnings against fleeing to Guantanamo Naval Base by the State
Department, and about the horrors of crossing the Florida Straits, now known as "the
corridor of death."
Radio Marti aired the 500-odd list of names released by the Immigration and Naturalization
Services of those being held at Krome Detention Center in South Florida.
IA-1215
TV Marti newscasts and all Radio Marti newscasts on the hour and half-hour are featuring
the advisory by the State Department that those reaching Guantanamo Naval Base will not be
granted automatic entry into the US. The Advisory urges Cubans to resort to the official
channels to apply for immigration through the US Interest Section in Havana which will
continue to process requests in an orderly fashion.
Radio Marti has initiated a "De Cubano a Cubano" series of "man-on-the-street" interviews
with Cuban-Americans in Miami pleading with their loved ones on the island not to leave.
The "800" Puente Familiar telephone line is being disseminated on Miami and New Jersey
spanish language radio as a public service announcement for Cuban-Americans to record
messages to their families in Cuba. The production schedule is being expanded in order to
air the messages daily in 15-minute and hour-long spots throughout the week.
A series of news actuality reports in the voice of Brothers to the Rescue pilots describe the
situation in the "corridor of death" in the Florida Straits, highlighting the number of empty
rafts being spotted given the increased number of those fleeing. The pilots urge Cubans not
to leave warning them that the probability of being rescued has diminished.
A series of celebrity messages "De Cubano a Cubano" are being recorded for placement in
magazine format programs and as fillers throughout the broadcasts. Arturo Sandoval and
Mickey Rourke are among the celebrities featured. Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Celia
Cruz and other notable Cuban-American artists are being contacted.
Weather reports have been expanded from feature length newscasts three times a day to all
newscasts on the hour. The weather reports highlight the deceiving appearance of "calm"
coastal waters in contrast to the turbulent seas encountered just miles from the coast in
tropical weather conditions.
Calls by church and community leaders and human rights activists against the dangerous
escape by raft are being broadcast throughout the day.
A special Mesa Redonda on Radio Marti will feature a roundtable debate on the significance
of this policy change by the Clinton Administration.
Reactions by South Florida opinion leaders to the policy pronouncement by President
Clinton are being reported, offering explanations of the importance of avoiding another
Mariel.
Permission to interview detainees at the Krome Detention Center has been denied by
officials there. Justice Department authorization is being requested.
A special "News in Action" program was broadcast on Sunday and repeated Monday with
President Clinton's policy announcement, comments by opinion leaders on the value of the
policy.
05
202 two 7929
"H POLITICAL AFF
041
P.7
AS 26 '54 10:0EPM
The drama of the escape on rafts is being featured in special segments on the "corridor of
death." . The recurrent theme on both stations is "no se tiren".
TEL:
Aug 23'94 17:34 No.023 P.01
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE APPAIRS
FAX COVER SHEET
NOTE:
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FACSIMILE MESSAGE IS
CONFIDENTIAL AND INTENDED FOR THE RECIPIENT ONLY.
DATE:
8/23/94
TO:
SUSANNA VALDEZ
FAX #:
x6.6218
FROM:
JANST MURCHA
RE:
Pluse FAX to
SRANNA IN MIAMI,FL
fonight. Thinks, IM
PAGE 1 OF
If there are any problems with this transmission, please call
(202) 456-6620.
FAX SENT:
TEL:
Hug
MEMO
TO: JOE VELASQUEZ
RETA LEWIS
SUZANNA VALDEZ
PR: JANET MURGUIA
DT: August 23, 1994
RE: List of invited and confirmed Members of Congress and/or
staff representatives attending 9:30am Cuba policy briefing in
Miami, FL on Wednesday, August 24, 1994.
Senator Bob Graham
Staff attendee: Ellen Roth
Senator Connie Mack
Staff attendee: Javier Vasquez
Rep. Carrie Meek*
Staff attendee: Guy Furchine
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Staff attendee: Unknown
Rep. Harry Johnston
Staff attendee: Unknown
Rep. Peter Deutsch
Staff attendee: Pearl Siegel
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Staff attendee: Anna Carbonell
Rep. E. Clay Shaw
Staff attendee: Dorothy Stuart
Rep. Alcee Hastings
Staff attendee: None
(*
Denotes confirmation of attendance by a Member of Congress)
GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON A FREE CUBA
Mr. Steven Albee
Mr. Joaquin G. Avino
Mr. Teo A. Babun
Dra. Moravia Capo
Mr. Paul L. Cejas
Dr. Manuel R. Cereijo
Mr. Bruce J. Colan
Mr. Jose J. Collado
Mr. Francisco J. De Varone
Mr. Norman Diaz
Ms. Maria R. Dominguez
Ms. Gisella Elgarresta
Mr. Ralph E. Fernandez
Dr. Denio O. Fonseca
Mr. Julio Gonzalez-Rebull
Commissioner Wilfredo Gort
Dr. Guillermo J. Grenier
Ms. Georgina Q. Hartmann
Mr. Luis J. Lauredo
Ms Aida Levitan
Mr. J. C. Lorenzo
Mr. John Macho
Ms. Mercedes F. McCall
Mr. Cesar H. Odio
Mr. Erelio F. Pena
Ms. Lucy Pereda
Mr. Carlos M. Perez
Dr. Manolo J. Reyes
Mr. Luis Sabines
Ms. Belen S. Saborido
Ms. Maria Elena Toruno
Mr. H. James Towey
Mr. Luis Andres Vargas-Gomez
Mr. Jorge S. Villalba
Mr. Joe Pena
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Cesar Odio
Arthur Teele
Joaquin Avino
Steve Clark
Betsy Kaplan
Raul Martinez
Seymore Gelber
Kathy Rundell
Octavio Visiedo
Robert Ingram
Office of Rep. Deutsch
Office of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen
Maria Elena Torano
Afredo Fanjul
Maria Arias Rodham
Carlos Portes
SENT BY dodAd
:10-12-94 : 3:06PM i
dodAd-
202 647 4551:# 3
U.S. Department of State
Press guidance
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
HAITIAN MIGRANT POPULATIONS
As of October 11, 1994
Total Population at Guantanamo Naval Base
10,481
Approved Refugees pending transport to U.S.
55
In Safehaven Status
10,426
Pending Voluntary Repatriation
0
Pending Processing
0
Aboard USCG and USN Vessels
752
En Route to GTMO for Initial Screening
0
En Route to Port aw Prince from GTMO
752
Admitted to U.S. (Approved Refugees)
540
Medical Evacuations to U.S.
10
Repatriated
will
9,909
Repatriated from USNS Comfort
1,138
Voluntarily Repatriated from GTMO
8.771
Police recruits moved to Haiti
25
TOTAL INTERDICTIONS
21,717
PRM:HTI-201
Prepared 10/12/94
09:01
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
September 9. 1994
STATEMENT BY DAVID JOHNSON, ACTING SPOKESMAN
CUBAN MIGRATION TALKS
The United States and Cuba have reached an agreement that will
allow a minimum of 20,000 Cubans to migrate legally to the U.S.
every year This agreement will make migration to the United
States possible for many Cubans previously not eligible to
migrate and speed the departure of those currently on the U.S.
immigrant visa waiting list to enter the United States.
Information on how to apply for migration to the United States
under this agreement will be announced shortly. This
information will be distributed widely both in Cuba and in the
United States.
Please do not contact the Department of State, the Immigration
and Naturalization Service, or the United States Interests
section in Havana about migrating under this agreement. An
announcement on how to apply will be made as soon as possible.
Joint Communique
Representatives of the United States of America and the Republic
of Cuba today concluded talks concerning their mutual interest in
normalizing migration procedures and agreed to take measures to
ensure that migration between the two countries is safe, legal,
and orderly.
Safety of Life at Sea
The United States and the Republic of Cuba recognize their common
interest in preventing unsafe departures from Cuba which risk
loss of human life. The United states underscored its recent
decisions to discourage unsafe voyages. Pursuant to those
decisions, migrants rescued at sea attempting to enter the United
States will not be permitted to enter the United States, but
instead will be taken to safe haven facilities outside the United
States. Further, the United States has discontinued its practice
of granting parole to all cuban migrants who reach U.S. territory
in irregular ways. The Republic of Cuba will take effective
measures in every way it possibly can to prevent unsafe
departures using mainly persuasive methods.
Alien Smuggling
The United States and the Republic of Cuba reaffirm their support
for the recently adopted United Nations General Assembly
resolution on alien smuggling. They yledged their cooperation to
take prompt and effective action to prevent the transport of
persons to the United States illegally. The two governments will
take effective measures in every way they possibly can to oppose
and prevent the use of violence by any persons seeking to reach,
or who arrive in, the United States from Cubs by forcible
diversions of aircraft and vessels.
Legal Migration
The United States and the Republic of Cuba are committed to
directing Cuban migration into safe, legal and orderly channels
consistent with strict implementation of the 1984 joint
communique. Accordingly, the United states will continue to
issue, in conformity with United States law, immediate relative
and preference immigrant visas to Cuban nationals who apply at
the U.S. Interests Section and are eligible to immigrate to the
United States. The United States also commits, through other
provisions of United States law, to authorize and facilitate
additional lawful migration to the United States from Cuba. The
United States ensures that total legal migration to the United
States from Cuba will be a minimum of 20,000 Cubans each year,
not including immediate relatives of United States citizens. As
an additional, extraordinary measure, the United States will
facilitate in a one year period the issuance of documentation to
permit the migration to the United States of those qualified
Cuban nationals in Cuba currently on the immigrant visa waiting
. 2 -
list. To that end, both parties will work together to facilitate
the procedures necessary to implement this measure. The two
governments agree to authorize the necessary personnel to allow
their respective interests sections to implement the provisions
of this communique effectively.
Voluntary Return
The United states and the Republic of Cuba agreed that the
voluntary return of Cuban nationals who arrived in the United
States or in safe havens outside the United States on or after
August 19, 1994 will continue to be arranged through diplomatic
channels.
Excludables
The United States and the Republic of Cuba agreed to continue to
discuss the return of Cuban nationals excludable from the United
States.
Review OF Agreement
The representatives of the United states and the Republic of Cuba
agree to meet no later than 45 days from today's announcement to
review implementation of this Joint Communique. Future meetings
will be scheduled by mutual agreement.
For the Government of
For the Government of
The United States of America:
the Republic of Cuba:
New York, September 9, 1994
09/12/84
11:40
NSC PRESS OFFC
ARA
02/00/001
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(New Orleans, LA)
For Immediate Release
September 9, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The United States and Cuba have reached agreement in the
migration talks in New York. This agreement requires the
Government of Cuba to take effective mcasures to prevent unsafe
departure of Cuban citizens. In addition, the Cuban government
agreed that arrangements for those Cubans who have recently left
and wish to return can be made through diplomatic channels.
The United States has agreed to admit at least 20,000 Cubans from
Cube per year under existing authorities. Additionally, the U.S.
estimates that approximately 6,000 Cubans currently on the visa
waiting list will be admitted into the U.S.
The President, who directed that these talks on migration issues
take place, is pleased at their outcome. "This agreement, when
carried out, will help insure that the massive flow of dangerous
and illegal migration will be replaced by a safer, legal and more
orderly process," the President said.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(New Orleans, LA.)
For Immediate Release
September 9, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The United States and Cuba have reached agreement in the
migration talks in New York. This agreement requires the
Government of Cuba to take effective measures to prevent unsafe
departure of Cuban citizens. In addition, the Cuban government
agreed that arrangements for those Cubans who have recently left
and wish to return can be made through diplomatic channels.
The United States has agreed to admit at least 20,000 Cubans from
Cuba per year under existing authorities. Additionally, the U.S.
estimates that approximately 6,000 Cubans currently on the visa
waiting list will be admitted into the U.S.
The President, who directed that that these talks on migration
issues take place, is pleased at their outcome. "This agreement,
when carried out, will help insure that the massive flow of
dangerous and illegal migration will be replaced by a safer,
legal and more orderly process," the President said.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 14, 1994
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today announced a series of immediate humanitarian
steps relating to Cubans in safehavens in Guantanamo and Panama.
First, the Attorney General will parole into the United States
chronically ill persons and their caregivers who cannot be
adequately cared for in the camps.
Second, she will parole into the United States unaccompanied
young children now in the safe havens.
Third, she will parole into the United States migrants over 70.
In each case, we will ensure that those paroled in have
appropriate sponsors.
Fourth, the Administration will conduct a review of the status of
all children in the camps.
Fifth, we have launched a major effort to persuade other
countries to accept some of the Cuban migrants.
Sixth, although much remains to be done, significant improvements
have been made in the camps including providing better food,
inaugurating mail and telephone service, and improving sanitary
conditions. Attached is a fact sheet showing the time table for
improvements.
The administration shares the deep concern of the Cuban-American
community for the well-being of all the Cubans in safehavens.
The root cause of these problems is in Cuba. The administration
is dedicated to pursuing policies which will lead to a rapid and
peaceful movement to democracy in Cuba.
#
FACT SHEET
IMPROVEMENTS AT GUANTANAMO
There are five tiers of improvement categories:
I.
Infrastructure/facilities
II.
Food/clothing/medicine
III.
Personal communications
IV.
Education/recreation
V.
Other/administrative
INFRASTRUCTURE/FACILITIES
Water: Running water is now available in all Haitian and Cuban camps. Water has
always been available for consumption, but construction of the last piping system
for running water was completed on 9 October. Each migrant is provided safe
drinking water and sufficient water for daily hygiene.
Tents: All migrants have shelter, but dust is still a problem in the Cuban camps.
As some migrants leave, camp officials can close some camps and build hard stands
for other tents going up. The Haitian camps are located on hard surfaces (runways)
and dust is not as bad in this location. Many steps have been taken to reduce dust.
One measure that has had some success is the spreading of a soil stabilizer, another
measure has been to plant surrounding ground cover. These are temporary
measures until all tents are hardened to include concrete or wooden flooring.
Projected completion of the hardening project is 15 November.
Sanitation facilities: There is currently one latrine for every 30 migrants. Cleaning
is now done once every three days; by October 24 cleaning will be done once every
day. Plans are now being developed to have permanent latrine facilities. The
construction of sewer piping systems is slowed by the small geographic area and by
2
limited treatment capacity. Follow-on plans include expanding existing treatment
facilities.
Camp areas: Each camp has an area for recreation. Half-court basketball and
volleyball courts are being constructed, projected completion 24 October.
Additionally, baseball diamonds and soccer fields are being built for common use.
FOOD/CLOTHING/MEDICINE
Milk: A preliminary supply of milk has been provided along with specialized milk
for babies with digestive problems (Infamil with Iron, Similac). Follow-on supplies
will be provided and sustained.
Feed: Every effort is being made to develop a varied menu. There are now enough
food stocks to allow the announcerient of 2-day menus. Two new kitchens have
been built. Each migrant receives 2 hot meals and one MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)
per day. Migrants take part in food preparation and as a result of greater food
stocks the resulting menu has become more Cuban and Haitian friendly. Examples
include the Haitian fare Paella and a Cuban recipe for Arroz con Pollo on Sundays.
Clothing: Thanks to the efforts of many government and non-government
organizations each migrant has spare clothing and shoes and ball-type caps for those
that need sun-protection during the day. Over 35,000 pairs of shoes were purchased
for the migrants and all have been distributed.
Medicine: There have been no outbreaks/illnesses of any serious nature within the
last month. Hygiene is improving daily and preventive care is being developed by
camp doctors. There are estimates of up to 250 pregnant women in the camps. Pre-
natal and post-natal facilities are being built to assist new and expectant mothers
with the care and feeding of their children. Special milk/formula and other infant
needs are being stocked.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mail: Limited postcard service has been available through the American Red
Cross. A DoD/US Postal Service team traveled to Guantanamo last week to
arrange regular letter service to begin in October. Initial service will include only
3
letter/post card mail. By early November details of package delivery will be
announced.
Phones: 95 phone lines have been established solely for use by Cuban and Haitian
migrants. All phones are operational.
EDUCATION/RECREATION
Educational facilities/supplies: Primary education is currently provided through
the 6th grade level. Supplies for crayons, notebooks and school books in Spanish
and Creole were provided with DoD funds.
Newspaper Deliveries: Daily newspaper delivery service should begin on 20 Oct.
Radio Service: There were over 1000 radios supplied to the migrants in September
and more are being scheduled for delivery. Additionally, the radios are able to pick
up Radio Marti during the evening hours and DoD has been producing additional
broadcasts through a temporary station called Radio Esperanza.
Other Media: Camp leaders are also given the opportunity to produce their own
print media for the camps.
Recreation: The Cubans have asked for basketball areas and 6 are now being
constructed, expected completion is 20 October 94. Each camp will have a
recreation tent by 12 Oct. Other facilities are being planned and constructed that
include baseball diamonds and soccer fields, as previously mentioned. Special
activities for children are also being implemented. Currently, there is a program to
transport children and their parents or their caregivers to playground areas around
the base. More playground facilities are being built within the family camps for
greater access. Recreation tents are being stocked with supplies of games, cards,
dominos and other related materials.
4
OTHER
Administrative: Mr. Guarione Diaz, a Cuban-American and President of the
Cuban American National Council, was appointed Ombudsman to help assist in the
U.S. Government's effort to improve camp conditions. He has been instrumental in
coordinating relief activities and supplies from the Cuban-American population.
Camp Leadership for the Migrants: Each camp has selected a small group of
camp leaders and representatives to voice their concerns over the conditions in the
camps. The leaders' recommendations are followed as much as practical. Camp
leaders hold regular meetings with migrants in their areas and during these forums
give updates from governmental agencies.
Cigarettes: Small shipments of cigarettes have been arriving in Guantanamo during
the !2st two weeks. Other priority items such as milk for babies, clothes, shoes and
other food stocks were delivered first. The Administration is working with the
Cuban-American community in Miami for a large donation of cigarettes which DOD
will arrange to have transported and distributed in the camps.
Camp Visits: Guantanamo has been visited by the Archdiocese of Miami, scores
of press, US government officials, non-governmental organizations, and
many others in an effort to assist migrants. Information will be released in
November about how private citizens can arrange visits to Guantanamo. The first
priority is to get those assigned duty to help the migrants.
Donated Goods/Services: The US Government welcomes all donations of goods
and services for the migrants in Guantanamo. The State Department has contracted
the services of World Relief to accept and distribute donated goods to the migrants.
To Donate Goods, contact: Peggy Gilbert, World Relief, (914) 268-4135.
To Donate Services, contact: Mr. Guarione Diaz, Ombudsman for Cubans at the
Camps, (305) 642-3484.
ANNOUNCEMENT (FOR CUBA AND US)
The U.S. is announcing today steps being taken to implement the
September 9 migration agreement with Cuba.
Pursuant to the agreement, the US will allow a minimum of 20,000
Cubans to migrate legally to the US each year. This goal will be
met through expanded immigrant visa and refugee processing and
the use of the Attorney General's parole authority.
The U.S. will accelerate the immigrant visa issuance process at
USINT, consistent with U.S. law. The accelerated scheduling of
immigrant visa interviews has already begun. The U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will intensify
outreach to the Cuban-American community to explain opportunities
to bring family members from Cuba to the U.S. USINT will
intensify its efforts to inform the Cuban public of possible
immigration benefits through family members in the U.S.
The United States also will increase the number of refugee
admission slots available to Cubans through the U.S. Interests
Section (USINT) in Havana to at least 6,000 this year. While
eligibility for the in-country program in Havana originally was
limited to former political prisoners, application criteria have
been expanded significantly. The US will review pending and
previously denied refugee cases in order to identify those
qualifying under the expanded criteria.
ID addition, public interest parole may be offered immediately to
unmarried sons and daughters of Cubans issued immigrant visas or
granted refugee status, as well as to family members who reside
in the same household and are part of the same economic unit as
these immigrants or refugees. USINT is in the process of
informing those receiving immigrant visas and refugee travel
documents of this program.
Also, as a one-time, extraordinary measure, public interest
parole will be offered to preference visa petition beneficiaries
OD the immigrant visa waiting list as of September 9, 1994, and
who would not have been eligible to receive an immigrant visa by
the end of FY 95 (September 30, 1995) Individuals on this list
will be contacted by the USINT in Havana.
Finally, the USG will operate a lottery that will substantially
broaden avenues of legal migration for all Cubans, including
those without direct family ties to the U.S. Candidates selected
through the lottery will be allowed to bring their spouses and
minor children with them to the U.S. This process is designed to
benefit Cubans with strong reasons to migrate and who can become
2
self-sufficient. Details of the lottery will be announced in Cuba
and the U.S. by November 1st.
The U.S. will devote sufficient personnel and other resources to
conduct all refugee, immigrant visa, and parole processing on an
accelerated basis. The Immigration and Naturalization Service
and the Department of State will each have in place five
additional officers at USINT on or about October 17; additional
local staff already has been hired. A State Department team will
arrive in Havana on October 17 to identify new facilities to
accommodate the expanded processing.
All Cubans eligible for migration benefits will be screened for
medical, criminal, and public charge requirements under U.S.
immigration law as applicable.
These programs will be available to Cubans in Cuba proper. All
Cubans in safehavens will be fully informed about the programs;
in order to participate in them, they must return home. On
October 7, a group of 17 Cubans who requested voluntary return
were flown from Guantanamo Naval Base to Havana. USINT and the
State Department will continue to work with the Cuban government
to facilitate the travel of all Cubans under U.S. government
protection who wish to go home; no one will be compelled or
encouraged to return. Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure
that no Cuban wishing to return is disadvantaged in any of these
programs if unable to do so in a timely fashion.
With regard to Cubans in Guantanamo and Panama, significant
efforts are under way to upgrade the facilities and to improve
quality of life. We are making substantial progress in hygiene
and nutrition and in the delivery of medical, communications, and
recreational services. Mail and newspaper delivery soon will be
available. The attached fact sheet describes in detail the steps
we have taken and those we plan to take in the near future to
improve conditions for Cubans under U.S. government protection.
Cuba Legal Migration Program
Qs and A's
I.
LOTTERY
Q.: How does one apply for the lottery?
A.: All details of the lottery - how to apply, when to apply,
etc. - will be well advertised in the US, Cuba proper, and the
safehavens by November 1st. The lottery is designed to offer
Cubans who might not qualify under previously existing programs
an opportunity to come to the US. We will be looking for people
who can be self-sufficient and have manifested an interest in
coming to the US.
Q.: will having family ties be a requirement for selection in the
lottery?
No. Legal migration will be available to people with no direct
family ties in the United States.
Q.: Will Cubans in safehavens be able to participate in the
lottery?
Yes. Cubans in safehavens will have to return home to
participate in the lottery, but we will make sure that they do
not suffer any disadvantage if they cannot return in a timely
fashion. We anticipate that many Cubans in safehavens will meet
some of the criteria we are looking for.
II. Refugee Processing
Q.: Who is eligible to qualify for refugee status?
A.: Refugee status in the US may be granted to persons who have
a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion,
nationality, membership in a particular social group, or
political opinion.
Q.= In what way have the interview criteria been expanded?
A. : Eligibility for the in-country program in Havana originally
was limited to former political prisoners. The program now gives
priority to Cubans who are (1) former political prisoners; (2)
members of persecuted religious minorities; (3) human rights
activists; (4) forced labor conscripts during the period 1965-
1968; (5) persons deprived of their professional credentials or
subjected to other disproportionately harsh or discriminatory
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treatment resulting from their perceived or actual political or
religious beliefs; and (6) others who appear to have a credible
claim that they will face persecution as defined in the United
Nations Refugee Convention.
Q.: If a Cuban already has applied for refugee status and did
not qualify, can (s)he apply again?
A.: Any person denied refugee status can ask to have his or her
case reconsidered OD the basis of new information. A Cuban who
was denied a refugee interview under the old criteria might be
eligible under the new criteria. The USG will review pending and
previously denied refugee cases to identify those qualifying
under the expanded criteria.
Q.: What about Cubans in safehavens?
A.: If a Cuban chooses to return home and believes that (s) he
qualifies for the refugee program, (s) he should contact USINT in
Havana for a determination of eligibility. US government
representatives in the safehavens will provide general
information on the program.
Q.= What about Cubans in safehavens who fear persecution in Cuba
if they return?
A.: Our policy is clear: Nobody will be forced or encouraged to
return. Persons who fear persecution, like all other Cubans in
safehavens, can remain in a safehaven if they so choose. Efforts
are continuing to be made to improve quality of life in
Guantanamo and Panama. We share the desire to find durable
solutions for bona fide refugees in safehavens who fear returning
home. For this reason, we also will be exploring with UNHCR
alternatives for such people as the situation develops, including
voluntary resettlement in third countries.
III. Parole of Additional Family of Refugees and Visa
Beneficiaries.
Q.: What is new about the additional family parole?
Typically, immigrants are only allowed to bring in their spouse
and minor unmarried children. Under this new program, we are
extending the group of family members who can accompany a Cuban
issued an immigrant visa or granted refugee status to include:
(1) family members who reside in the same household and are part
of the same economic unit as the immigrant or refugee; (2)
unmarried sons and daughters of the immigrant or refugee
regardless of age or place of residence.
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Q.: How will this program work?
Cubans to whom it is possible to issue immigrant visas in fiscal
year 1995 are being informed by USINT of their new opportunity to
bring additional family members with them. The USG will make
other efforts to identify and contact possible beneficiaries of
this program.
Q.: Can Cubans in safehavens benefit from this program?
Yes, if they choose to return home. Cubans in Guantanamo and
Panama will be provided information about this program by US
representatives. The USG will try to assist Cubans in safehavens
with this program. If a Cuban in a safehaven believes he or she
might be eligible under this program, (s) he should contact a USG
representative.
IV. Immigrant Visas and Visa Waiting List
Q.: How does one get an immigrant visa?
A.: The U.S. is continuing to issue immigrant visas to qualified
Cubans, and relatives in the US are encouraged to file visa
petitions on behalf of their family members in Cuba. Visa
petition forms (I-130's) are available by calling the INS toll-
free number, 1-800-755-0777. They also can be picked up in the
US Federal Building in Miami, located at 51 SW 1st Avenue, Room
630, or at any INS office in the United States.
Q.: What is being done with the backlog?
A.: USINT has received names and addresses of all those on the
immigrant visa waiting list. Efforts have begun to notify Cubans
who are eligible.
Q.= Can Cubans in safehavens benefit from this program?
Yes, if they choose to return home. Cubans in Guantanamo and
Panama will be provided information about this program by US
representatives. If a Cuban in a safehaven believes that a
relative has filed a petition for him or her, and that (s) he
aight be on the waiting list, (s) he should contact a USG
representative.
V.
Voluntary Return
Q.: How many Cubans who requested to return have been able to do
so?
A.: An initial group of 17 Cubans who chose to go home were
returned on October 7. They were flown from Guantanamo to
Havana. We are anticipating the return of Cubans who have made
the request to proceed on a regular basis.
Q.: How many Cubans have requested to return?
A.: Several hundred
Q.: Will Cubans in safehavens be forced to return?
A.: No. They can remain in the safehavens indefinitely.
Q.: Is the US government encouraging Cubans to return?
A.: No. We have provided Cubans in safehavens full information
about their options, including the possibility of going back home
or of remaining in the safehavens.
Q.: How can we be sure that Cubans who choose to return will not
be persecuted when they do?
A.: As part of the Cuba/US talks, we made clear that people who
wish to return should not be subject to negative treatment These
migration talks will be ongoing, and will next be resumed at the
end of the month. This is a subject that can and will be
monitored.
Q.: If individuals are not cleared for return by the Cuban
authorities, what will be their eligibility for migration to the
US?
A.: We will do our very best to ensure that individuals who wish
to return are able to go home. We also will ensure that all
individuals who are eligible to migrate legally to the US will
have an opportunity to do so.
VI. Parole (in general)
Q.: Will any conditions be placed on paroled Cubans? Will there
be any time limit?
A.: No. They will be paroled into the US for a two-year period,
After residence. one year, they will be eligible to apply for permanent
Q.: How many Cubans do you anticipate will be receiving parole?
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We will be using a combination of our programs to reach the
20,000 figure in the agreement.
VII. Legal Authority
Q.: What legal authority does the Attorney General have to
exercise her parole authority in this way?
A.: Under section 212(d) (5) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, the Attorney General is given the authority, at her
discretion, to parole aliens into the US "for reasons deemed
strictly in the public interest." Normalizing the immigration
flow between Cuba and the US is "strictly in the public
interest." The parole program is part of an overall effort to
redirect an abnormal flow into a legal one.
Q.: Doesn't such a parole program intrude upon Congress' law-
making authority?
A.: No. The purpose of the program is to facilitate a
normalization of migration between the two countries. It is
perfectly consistent with overall congressional goals to stem
irregular migration and promote legal migration.
Q.: Isn't the parole program inconsistent with the 1980 Refugee
Act which provides that the AG "may not parole into the US an
alien who is a refugee
except in compelling, individual
circumstances"?
A.: No. People admitted as refugees will not be paroled. The
US has operated for a number of years - and will continue to
operate . an in-country refugee program in Bavana under which
several thousand Cubans are admitted into the US each year.
Q.: Why isn't a similar program being established for Haitians?
Historically we have had a special migration relationship with
Cuba. We did not regularly parole in and legalize virtually
every Haitian who reached our shores. The Cuban Adjustement Act
is unique to Cubans. Moreover, we expect conditions that have
produced large irregular migration from Haiti to change with the
restoration of democratic government.
VIII. Cubans at Krome and Port Isabel
Q.: What are the plans for Cubans in Florida and Texas?
6
A.
:
Cubans at Krome and Port Isabel have been placed in normal
immigration proceedings.
Q.
How many Cubans have been paroled in from Krome and Port
Isabelle?
A.:
Children and their caregivers have been paroled in.
FACT SHEET
IMPROVEMENTS AT GUANTANAMO
There are five tiers of improvement categories:
I.
Infrastrure/facilities
П.
Food/clothing/medicine
III.
Personal communications
IV.
Education/recreation
V.
Other/administrative
INFRASTRUCTURE/FACILITIES
Water: Running water is now available in all Haitian and Cuban camps. Water has
always been available for consumption, but construction of the last piping system
for running water was completed on 9 October. Each migrant is provided safe
drinking water and sufficient water for daily hygiene.
Tents: All migrants have shelter, but dust is still a problem in the Cuban camps.
As some migrants leave, camp officials can close some camps and build hard stands
for other tents going up. The Haitian camps are located on hard surfaces (runways)
and dust is not as bad in this location. Many steps have been taken to reduce dust.
One measure that has had some success is the spreading of a soil stabilizer, another
measure has been to plant surrounding ground cover. These are temporary
measures until all tents are hardened to include concrete or wooden flooring.
Projected completion of the hardening project is 15 November.
Sanitation facilities: There is currently one latrine for every 30 migrants. Cleaning
is now done once every three days; by October 24 cleaning will be done once every
day. Plans are now being developed to have permanent latrine facilities. The
construction of sewer piping systems is slowed by the small geographic area and by
2
limited treatment capacity. Follow-on plans include expanding existing treatment
facilities.
Camp areas: Each camp has an area for recreation. Half-court basketball and
volleyball courts are being constructed, projected completion 24 October.
Additionally, baseball diamonds and soccer fields are being built for common use.
FOOD/CLOTHING/MEDICINE
Milk: A preliminary supply of milk has been provided along with specialized milk
for babies with digestive problems (Infamil with Iron, Similac). Follow-on supplies
will be provided and sustained.
Feed: Every effort is being made to develop a varied menu. There are now enough
food stocks to allow the announcersent of 2-day menus. Two new kitchens have
been built. Each migrant receives 2 hot meals and one MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)
per day. Migrants take part in food preparation and as a result of greater food
stocks the resulting menu has become more Cuban and Haitian friendly. Examples
include the Haitian fare Paella and a Cuban recipe for Arroz con Pollo on Sundays.
Clothing: Thanks to the efforts of many government and non-government
organizations each migrant has spare clothing and shoes and ball-type caps for those
that need sun-protection during the day. Over 35,000 pairs of shoes were purchased
for the migrants and all have been distributed.
Medicine: There have been no outbreaks/illnesses of any serious nature within the
last month. Hygiene is improving daily and preventive care is being developed by
camp doctors. There are estimates of up to 250 pregnant women in the camps. Pre-
natal and post-natal facilities are being built to assist new and expectant mothers
with the care and feeding of their children. Special milk/formula and other infant
needs are being stocked.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mail: Limited postcard service has been available through the American Red
Cross. A DoD/US Postal Service team traveled to Guantanamo last week to
arrange regular letter service to begin in October. Initial service will include only
3
letter/post card mail. By early November details of package delivery will be
announced.
Phones: 95 phone lines have been established solely for use by Cuban and Haitian
migrants. All phones are operational.
EDUCATION/RECREATION
Educational facilities/supplies: Primary education is currently provided through
the 6th grade level. Supplies for crayons, notebooks and school books in Spanish
and Creole were provided with DoD funds.
Newspaper Deliveries: Daily newspaper delivery service should begin on 20 Oct.
Radio Service: There were over 1000 radios supplied to the migrants in September
and more are being scheduled for delivery. Additionally, the radios are able to pick
up Radio Marti during the evening hours and DoD has been producing additional
broadcasts through a temporary station called Radio Esperanza.
Other Media: Camp leaders are also given the opportunity to produce their OWN
print media for the camps.
Recreation: The Cubans have asked for basketball areas and 6 are now being
constructed, expected completion is 20 October 94. Each camp will have a
recreation tent by 12 Oct. Other facilities are being planned and constructed that
include baseball diamonds and soccer fields, as previously mentioned. Special
activities for children are also being implemented. Currently, there is a program to
transport children and their parents or their caregivers to playground areas around
the base. More playground facilities are being built within the family camps for
greater access. Recreation tents are being stocked with supplies of games, cards,
dominos and other related materials.
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OTHER
Administrative: Mr. Guarione Diaz, a Cuban-American and President of the
Cuban American National Council, was appointed Ombudsman to help assist in the
U.S. Government's effort to improve camp conditions. He has been instrumental in
coordinating relief activities and supplies from the Cuban-American population.
Camp Leadership for the Migrants: Each camp has selected a small group of
camp leaders and representatives to voice their concerns over the conditions in the
camps. The leaders' recommendations are followed as much as practical. Camp
leaders hold regular meetings with migrants in their areas and during these forums
give updates from governmental agencies.
Cigarettes: Small shipments of cigarettes have been arriving in Guantanamo during
the lest two weeks. Other priority items such as milk for babies, clothes, shoes and
other food stocks were delivered first. The Administration is working with the
Cuban-American community in Miami for a large donation of cigarettes which DOD
will arrange to have transported and distributed in the camps.
Camp Visits: Guantanamo has been visited by the Archdiocese of Miami, scores
of press, US government officials, non-governmental organizations, and
many others in an effort to assist migrants. Information will be released in
November about how private citizens can arrange visits to Guantanamo. The first
priority is to get those assigned duty to help the migrants.
Donated Goods/Services: The US Government welcomes all donations of goods
and services for the migrants in Guantanamo. The State Department has contracted
the services of World Relief to accept and distribute donated goods to the migrants.
To Donate Goods, contact: Peggy Gilbert, World Relief, (914) 268-4135.
To Donate Services, contact: Mr. Guarione Diaz, Ombudsman for Cubans at the
Camps, (305) 642-3484.
FOIA Number:
Clinton Presidential Records
Foreign Language Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff to
identify the location of a document written in a foreign language
Foreign Language Marker
Collection: Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup: Public Liaison
Series: Suzanna Valdez
Subseries:
Document Title re: Tratado immigratorio entre estados Unidos y Cuba
Language: Spanish
Folder Title Cuba - Public (Press Statements Q&A)
OA/ID: 6101