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Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
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134757772
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Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
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Records of the Office of the Public Liaison (Clinton Administration)
Maria Echaveste'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:
Maria Echaveste
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
14164
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
31
2
8
3
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001a. memo
Philip Caplan to President Clinton re: Next steps on Cuba (1 page)
12/29/1998
P1/b(1)
001b. memo
Samuel Berger to President Clinton re: Next steps on Cuba (5 pages)
12/23/1998
P1/b(1)
002. memo
Bab Nash to President Clinton re: Advisory Board for Cuba
01/08/1998
b(6)
Broadcasting (Non-Selection) (3 pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Public Liaison
Maria Echaveste
OA/Box Number: 14164
FOLDER TITLE:
Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
2016-0920-F
jm1888
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA|
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute |(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
January 13, 1999
NOT FOR THE SYSTEM
MEMORANDUM
UNCLASSIFIED
TO:
FROM:
Lula Rodriguez
Assistant Secretary the P. Rubin
RE:
Roll-out plan for new measures on Cuba
In order to keep the public informed about our Cuba policy we have worked closely with
the NSC, CCA, and WHA in developing an ongoing public and media outreach plan. We
have maintained regular contact with the Cuban American community and NGOs,
frequently getting their input on policy questions and furthering their understanding of
the measures announced on January 5.
Public Outreach
May 8, 1998
Michael Ranneberger visits Miami for outreach to the Cuban American community.
May 13-18, 1998
Lula Rodriguez and Michael Ranneberger visit Miami for outreach to the Florida
Governor's Advisory Committee and for press outreach.
September 18, 1998
Assistant Secretary Romero and Jeff de Laurentis visit Miami and meet with Bishop
Roman and other members of the Miami archdioceses to discuss Cuba.
October 22,1998
Full day US-Cuba policy briefing at Department of State and the White House for
emerging Cuban American community leaders from Miami and Tampa. They were
briefed on US policy by senior administration officials from the State Department,
Treasury Department, US Coast Guard, USIA, USAID, and the NSC. This was a
successful effort to reach beyond established groups in the Cuban American community.
November 13, 1998
Sent informational packet to Cuban Americans who attended the October 22 briefing.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
December 1, 1998
The Bureau of Public Affairs hosted a half day US-Cuba Policy briefing for area NGOs
and Cuban Americans from New Jersey, who were recommended by Congressman
Menendez. There were 13 participants.
December 3, 1998
Assistant Secretary Koh visited Miami with CCA Director Michael Ranneberger and met
with the Cuban American National Foundation, Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Diario Las
Americas, and the Miami Herald. In addition, Assistant Secretary Koh met with several of
the community leaders who had attended the October policy briefing and with a small
group of human rights activists.
December 4, 1998
Assistant Secretary Rubin visited Miami and was the guest lecturer at Miami Dade
Community college for a class on Mass Communications. Later that day, he was
interviewed by Michael Putney on WPLG channel 10, regarding Cuba and the Middle
East. In addition, he met with influential leaders in the Jewish-Cuban community.
December 10, 1998
The four members of the Internal Dissidence Working Group, currently imprisoned in
Cuba, were highlighted by the President in his remarks commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Public Affairs invited Ms.
Ruth Montaner, a Cuban American human rights activist and representative of the four
dissidents in the US, to sign the Declaration for Human Rights Defenders in their name.
This event was well publicized in South Florida media.
December 11, 1998
Sent informational packet to Cuban Americans who attended the October 22 briefing.
This packet contained information on the Secretary's meeting with the three Cuban
American Congressmen, Assistant Secretary Koh's trip to Miami, and the anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including POTUS speech.
December 15-28, 1998
Following up on the briefing in October, Lula Rodriguez conducted consultation phone
calls to the Cuban American leaders and the "core group."
December 21-25, 1998
Radio Marti broadcasts the Secretary's Christmas message to the Cuban people 3 times a
day during this period. Diario Las Americas and El Nuevo Herald print the Secretary's
message.
January 4, 1999
Public Affairs helped arrange consultation calls for Under Secretary Eizenstat to the "core
group." Lula Rodriguez placed calls in the evening to 13 Cuban American community
leaders (from the October 22 briefing), informing them of the new measures. Public
Affairs also worked with the office of Senator Bob Graham to coordinate media outreach.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
January 5, 1999
Talking points were blast faxed to community leaders early in the morning and the "core
group" was sent via overnight express mail, a packet containing POTUS/Secretary of
State's statements, fact sheets, and Q's and A's.
Public Communications posted a special segment on Cuba on the State Department's web
page with links to POTUS/Secretary of State's statements and fact sheets. This segment
also includes links to information on March 20 measures and numerous other speeches,
statements, and fact sheets on our Cuba policy.
January 8, 1999
Public Affairs hosted an NGO briefing for the representatives of the NGO community to
solicit their input regarding the new Cuba measures. Humanitarian organizations, think
tanks, and universities/academic exchange organizations participated in the briefing.
Media Outreach
April 5, 1998
The Secretary authored an op-ed piece for Diarios Las Americas, "Advancing Hemispheric
Cooperation: The Summit of the Americas," mentioning Cuba.
May 3, 1998
The Secretary authored an op-ed piece for Diarios Las Americas, "The Cuban People Will
Be Free".
June 7, 1998
The Secretary authored an op-ed piece for Diarios Las Americas, "The OAS Marks Fifty
Years," mentioning Cuba.
December 6, 1998
The Secretary authored an op-ed piece for Diarios Las Americas, "The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights Celebrates Fifty Years," mentioning Cuba.
January 4, 1999
The Secretary held an afternoon press background briefing in her outer office regarding
the announcement of the measures.
January 5, 1999
Following the announcement of the new measures, Assistant Secretary Romero and Lula
Rodriguez conducted Spanish language interviews with CNN en Espanol, Univision, and
RCN Television. Later that evening, Assistant Secretary Romero was interviewed by
Echo TV. Lula Rodriguez was interviewed by El Nuevo Herald (Miami), WAQI radio
(Miami), and BBC radio in Spanish (Miami).
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
At 3:30, Media Outreach arranged for NSC Senior Director James Dobbins and Assistant
Secretary Peter Romero to hold an Editorial Board Conference call.
At 7:00 pm Secretary Albright was interviewed on the Leher News Hour to discuss the
new Cuba measures.
January 6, 1999
Seventeen major newspapers posted editorials regarding the announcement. Lula
Rodriguez was interviewed by six Miami radio stations and Michael Ranneberger was
interviewed by CBS This Morning with Ileana Ros-Lehtenin and the Miami Herald.
January 7-13, 1999
Media Outreach is coordinating with Cuban American leaders and others who are
interested in writing op-ed pieces for major newspapers.
Please find the following attached:
Copy of DOS web page on Cuba
Packet containing news clips regarding the January 5 measures
Packet containing editorials from major newspapers regarding January 5 measures
UNCLASSIFIED
NAMELY MASSACHUSETTS
U.S.-Cuba Policy
The President Reaches Out to Cuban People, Not Castro:
New Measures Support Development of Civic Society
T
he President announces additional measures that
demonstrates the United States' compassion for the
Cuban people, our strong interest in building bonds
between the citizens of our nations, and our
determination to provide the people of Cuba with hope
in their struggle against a system that for four decades
has denied them even basic human rights.
Measures announced January 5, 1999:
Measures announced March 20, 1998:
01/05/99: President Clinton's Remarks
3/20/98; Secretary Albright's Remarks
01/05/99: Secretary Albright's Remarks
5/13/98; Press Statement
01/05/99 Special Briefing by
Fact Sheets (5/13/98):
Administration Officials
Direct Humanitarian Cargo Flights
Fact Sheets:
Direct Passenger Charter Flights
Food Sales
Family Remittances to Cuba
Remittances
Facilitating the Licensing of the Export of Commercially Sold
Direct Flights
and Donated Medicines. Medical Supplies and Equipment to
Increased People-To-People Contacts
Cuba
Direct Mail
Travel Violations: New Procedures for Fully Hosted Travelers
Increased Public Diplomacy
U.S.-Cuba Relations
Remarks restimony Briefings Price Statements Fact Sheets Reports Other Information
U.S. Embargo Against Cuba, Office of Foreign
Assets Control, Department of the Treasury
Remarks, Testimony, and Briefings
Press Statements
11/09/98: Michael E. Ranneberger, Tulane
12/23/98: Expulsions from Cuban UN Mission
University, New Orleans, LA (U.S. Policy
12/03/98: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks
Toward Cuba: Pursuing Peaceful Democratic
10/01/98: Emergency Food Relief
Transition)
07/10/98: July 13 Air Commemorative
07/16/98: E. Eizenstat, statement on the
Ceremony Off Cuba
President's Title III Decision, Washington,
06/25/98: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks
DC
04/21/98: UN Human Rights Commission Vote
05/13/98: Michael Ranneberger, House Ways
on Cuba Resolution
and Means Committee, Washington, DC
01/15/98: U.S. Travelers to Cuba During Papal
(U.S. Policy Toward Cuba)
Visit
05/07/98: Michael Ranneberger, House Ways
12/01/97: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks
and Means Committee, Washington, DC
11/17/97: Implementation of Title IV of the
04/22/98: Ambassador Victor Marrero,
Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of
1 of 3
1/8/99 9:07 AM
Organization of American States
1996
04/03/98: Michael Ranneberger, American
10/30/97: November 1 "Flotilla" to Waters off
Association for the Advancement of Science
Cuba
and the Right to Travel, Washington, DC
10/09/97: October 11 "Flotilla" to Waters off
(U.S. Policy Toward Cuba)
Cuba
03/20/98: Press briefing on U.S.-Cuba Policy
09/15/97: U.S. Support for Independent Groups
03/20/98; Secretary Albright on Cuba
in Cuba
03/12/98: Michael Ranneberger, House
09/05/97: Foreign Relations Volume on Cuba,
International Relations Committee,
1961-62
Subcommittee on International Economic
08/22/97: 1998 Papal Visit to Cuba: Issuance
Policy and Trade, Washington, DC
of License to Archdiocese of Miami
01/07/98: Stuart E. Eizenstat, North
08/15/97: Cuba's Deteriorating Human Rights
American Committee of the National Policy
Situation
Association, Washington, DC
07/30/97: Foreign Relations Volume,
11/17/97: Michael E. Ranneberger, Coral
1961-1963, Volume X, Cuba, 1961-1962
Gables, Florida
07/23/97: Implementation of Title IV of the
07/28/97: Jeffrey Davidow (U.S. Vision:
Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of
Cuba and Hemispheric Policy)
1996
07/16/97: Stuart E. Eizenstat, Suspension of
07/17/97: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks, July
Title III of Libertad Act, July 15, 1997.
16-17, 1997
07/16/97: Stuart Eizenstat, Helms-Burton Act
07/10/97: "Flotilla" to Waters Off Cuba July 13
05/03/97 Michael Ranneberger, 15th Annual
07/01/97: U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks
Journalists and Editors Workshop on Latin
05/14/97: Flotilla to Waters Off Cuba May 17
America and the Caribbean, Miami, Florida
05/14/97: U.S. Embargo and Health Care in
(Difficulties and Challenges Facing News
Cuba: Myth Versus Reality
Coverage of Cuba)
02/28/97: Michael Ranneberger, Miami,
Reports
Florida (U.S. Policy Now and in the Future)
01/03/97: Stuart Eizenstat (Promotion of
April 1998: Cuba Background Notes
Democracy in Cuba)
05/28/97: New Transatlantic Agenda: Senior
07/30/96: Jeffrey Davidow, Senate Foreign
Level Group Report to the U.S.-EU Summit
Relations Committee, Washington, DC
1996: Strategy Report on International
(Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity
Narcotics Control
Act (LIBERTAD))
1997: Patterns of Global Terrorism (released
April 1998)
Fact Sheets
1996: Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices
07/16/98: The President's Title III Decision
01/28/97: President's Report to Congress:
03/20/98: Direct Humanitarian Flights
Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba
03/20/98: Remittances to Cuba
*
Texto en Espanol del Reporte del
03/20/98: Sales of Medicines to Cuba
Presidente Clinton (1/28/97).
01/12/98: Papal Visit to Cuba January 21-25,
*
01/28/97: President Clinton's transmittal
1998
letter
08/05/97: U.S. Embargo and Healthcare in
Cuba: Myth Versus Reality
Other Information
07/16/97: President's Title III Decision
01/12/98: Chronology of Cuban Affairs,
1958-1998
02/09/98: Comparative Look at
Socio-Economic Conditions in Pre-Castro and
Present Day Cuba
Inter-American Affairs Department Home Page
This is an official U.S. Government source for information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S.
Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
2 of 3
1/8/99 9:07 AM
01/26/99 09:00 FAX
001
BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DATE:
To:
Maria Echauste
456-6703
FROM: Lula Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
FAX: 202-647-3344
PHONE: 202-647-6088
MESSAGE: I thought you would be
Presidents one sentence on Cuba
amused by the great play the
got in Miami
Darinos
Rule
NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER SHEET):
57
01/26/99
09:01
FAX
002
Discurso sobre el Estado de la Unión
ON
Clinton apuesta por
blo
la libertad de Cuba
ién
Enfoca Clinton el
Clinton pide "vía
Inmigrantes
superávit y propone
rápida" y
fortalecen a EE.UU:
reforzar la seguridad
conversaciones
pero tienen que
social con $2.7 mil millones
globales de comercio
aprender inglés
WASHINGTON (EFE) El
presidente de Estados Unidos,
Bill Clinton, dijo este martes que
está comprometido con la "liber-
tad" de Cuba, dos semanas des-
pués de haber puesto en marcha
El presidente de
un nuevo esfuerzo de acerca-
Estados Unidos,
AN
miento al país caribeño.
Bill Clinton, les
LO II
habla a los
"En este hemisferio, cada go-
miembros del
tido pa-
bierno, excepto uno, es elegido
Congreso en el
aternal,
libremente por su pueblo. Esta-
Capitolio, en su
dea que
mos decididos a que Cuba tam-
discurso sobre el
su pre-
bién conozca las bendiciones de
Estado de
n Pablo
la libertad", indicó Clinton en su
la Unión.
el pon-
mensaje sobre el Estado de la
(Telefoto AFP).
Unión.
destacó hoy la SI
ones de
El nuevo esfuerzo de acerca-
al disfrutar del pe:
las au-
miento a Cuba se centra en fomen-
expansión econón
de los
tar los contactos directos con la
seguir eliminar e
Wojtyla
sociedad cubana sin dejar de res-
ficit presupuestar
mentar
petar la ley del embargo econó-
dre, ex-
mico que Estados Unidos mantie-
Clinton fue recib
es a no
ne contra la isla caribeña.
por sus compañer
nblante
y con frialdad y I
"viejo
El gobierno estadounidense, sin
"Héroe de dos países", dijo Clinton del pelotero dominicano Sammy
republicanos al et
embargo, rechazó una propuesta
Sosa, uno de los invitados especiales que fue sentado junto a la Pri-
miciclo del Congi
de un grupo de senadores de am-
mera Dama Hillary Clinton, en el palco reservado a la familia pre-
nunciar el discur
s hoy del
bos partidos que pedían la crea-
sidencial. Sosa fue honrado no sólo por sus logros deportivos sino por
de la Unión.
ernidad"
ción de una comisión para revisar
sus esfuerzos para ayudar a las víctimas de los huracanes Georges
su pue-
el embargo comercial a Cuba.
y Mitch en el Caribey Centroamérica. (Telefoto AFP).
Por primera vez
"rasgos
del país, Clinton
a ternu-
Clinton, además, decidió el pa-
denses. La ley Helms-Burton,
PROPOSICION PARA LA
dos cámaras del (
ncia.
sado viernes mantener en sus-
que reforzó el embargo estadou-
SEGURIDAD SOCIAL
do está siendo juz
penso el título III de la ley
nidense contra Cuba, cumplirá
nado por los delit
oncepto
Helms-Burton, que permite de-
el próximo 12 de marzo tres
WASHINGTON (EFE) Con el
y obstrucción de
ición bí-
mandar en los tribunales a los
años, pero Clinton ha evitado
trasfondo del juicio al que es so-
sajes de
que hacen negocios con propie-
una y otra vez la puesta enmar-
metido en e Senado, el presiden-
La situación es i
profeta
dades confiscadas a estadouni-
cha del título III.
te estadounidense, Bill Clinton,
mócratas han cei
ios: "Co-
lela a un
5.
Valiente reacción popular en
¡A co
ecientes,
16 de la
el juicio a Díaz Hernández
SEVILLA (E
ina, de
un brasileno d
en una carcel
y tam-
detenido Des
Cantan el Himno Nacional de Cuba y dan vivas a los derechos humanos
de ruedas, put
un pie, y hast
ia, el pa-
su inmi-
Por RAMON ALBERTO CRUZ LIMA
Un grupolde aproximadamente 20 personas
(Nueva Prensa Cubana)
entre opositores, amigos y familiares- rompieron
Su dolencia
a
los
en el Hospital
01/26/99 09:01 FAX
003
el Estado de la Unión
apuesta por
ad de Cuba
Clinton pide "vía
Inmigrantes
ápida" y
fortalecen a EE. UU.
onversaciones
pero tienen que
lobales de comercio
aprender inglés
El presidente de
Estados Unidos,
Bill Clinton, les
habla a los
miembros del
Congreso en el
Capitolio, en su
discurso sobre el
Estado de
la Unión.
(Telefoto AFP).
destacó hoy la solidez del país
fuertes aplausos, mientras los
al disfrutar del período de mayor
republicanos -aunque muchos de
expansión económica y tras con-
ellos están ausentes- le recibie
seguir eliminar el abultado dé-
ron con decoro por respeto ala
ficit presupuestario.
presidencia de Estados Unidos
Clinton fue recibido con vítores
La reforma de la seguridad so
por sus compañeros demócratas
cial, el fortalecimiento del sis-
y con frialdad y respeto por los
tema educativo y el repaso a la
países", dijo Clinton del pelotero dominicano Sammy
republicanos al entrar en el he-
sólida situación económica del
os Invitados especiales que fue sentado junto a la Pri-
miciclo del Congreso para pro-
país son algunos de los princi-
Iillary Clinton, en el palco reservado a la familia pre-
nunciar el discurso del Estado
pales temas a los que se referirá
a fue honrado no sólo por sus logros deportivos sino por
de la Unión.
Clinton.
para ayudar a las víctimas de los huracanes Georges
Caribe y Centroamérica. (Telefoto AFP).
Por primera vez en la historia
Nada más comenzar el discur-
del país, Clinton se dirige a las
so, Clinton se refirió a los 18 mi-
ay Helms-Burton,
PROPOSICION PARA LA
dos cámaras del Congreso cuan-
llones de nuevos empleos, al su-
embargo estadou-
SEGURIDAD SOCIAL
do está siendo juzgado por el Se-
perávit de 70.000 millones de
a Cuba, cumplirá
nado por los delitos de perjurio
dólares, la reducción del crimen
12 de marzo tres
WASHINGTON (EFE). Con el
y obstrucción de la justicia.
y del número de personas inclui-
linton ha evitado
trasfondo del juicio al que es so-
das en los planes de bienestar
: la puesta en mar-
metido en el Senado, el presiden-
La situación es inédita y los de-
III.
te estadounidense, Bill Clinton,
mócratas han cerrado filas con
(Pasa a la Pág. 12-A Col. 1)
ción popular en
¡A correr se ha dicho
iaz Hernández
SEVILLA (España) (EFE) Constantino Alexandre da Silva,
un brasileño de 45 años, se encontraba en prisión preventiva
en una cárcel sevillana desde diciembre de 1997, cuando fue
detenido. Desde entonces habia estado siempre en una silla
1y dan vivas a los derechos humanos
de ruedas, pues el preso sostenía que sufría una dolencia en
un pie, y hasta se sospechaba de cancer en el colon.
Un grupo de aproximadamente 20 personas --
S0 dolencia obligo Я hospitalizarlo el 26 de noviembre pasado
01/26/99
09:02
FAX
004
Pág. 12-A DIARIO LAS AMERICAS JUEVES 21 DE ENERO DE 1999
Clinton apuesta por
(Viene de la pág. 1-A)
CLINTON PIDE "VIA RAPIDA"
aludió a los temores que despier-
RAPIDA" Y
ta el libre comercio en EE.UU.,
social. El estado del indudable
CONVERSACIONES
reconociendo que el tema "ha di-
estado de bienestar del país con-
GLOBALES DE COMERCIO
vidido a los estadounidenses du-
trasta con la crisis política que
rante mucho tiempo" y que "hay
atraviesa Estados Unidos y a la
WASHINGTON (EFE) El
que encontrar un terreno común
que el presidente Clinton no se
presidente Bill Clinton apeló a
para las empresas, los trabaja-
va a referir.
"las naciones del mundo a unirse
dores, los ecologistas, los agri-
a Estados Unidos en una nueva
cultores y el Gobierno".
Sus abogados defensores co-
negociación global de comercio"
menzaron hoy justamente a re-
y pidió al Congreso que le con-
En este sentido, Clinton pidió
futar los argumentos de culpa-
ceda autoridad de la llamada
que se "levanten las barreras y
bilidades de los fiscales
"vía rápida" ("fast-track").
se abran los mercados", asegu-
republicanos en el juicio que se
rándose a la vez de que "los clu-
sigue en el Senado por los delitos
Clinton hizo este llamamiento
dadanos de a pie de todos los pa-
de perjurio y obstrucción a la
en el discurso sobre el Estado
Ises se benefician" del comercio.
justicia.
de la Unión que pronunció ante
las dos Cámaras del Congreso.
Clinton defiende un comercio
Tras destacar las grandes ci-
que "promueva los derechos de
fras que demuestran la solidez
El presidente quiere nuevas
los trabajadores y la protección
actual del país, Clinton entró de
negociaciones (parecidas a las
del medioambiente".
lleno en su discurso a proponer
de la Ronda Uruguay aunque por
una reforma del sistema de se-
sectores) "para ampliar la ex-
Anunció que piensa colaborar
guridad social.
portación de servicios, produc-
con la Organización Internacio-
tos manufacturados y sobre todo
nal del Trabajo sobre una nueva
Clinton propuso que buena par-
agrícolas".
iniciativa para mejorar los de-
te del superávit del presupuesto
rechos laborales en el mundo, y
federal, que en 1998 fue de 70.000
Para poder lanzar estas nego-
"liderar a la comunidad interna-
millones de dólares, en reforzar
ciaciones, Clinton pidió al Con-
cional hacia la conclusión de un
la Seguridad Social, con cerca
greso que le dé "la autoridad co-
tratado que prohíba la mano de
de 2,7 billones de dólares que se
mercial que se ha utilizado
obra infantil en todo el mundo".
invertirán en 15 años.
durante mucho tiempo para ha-
cer avanzar nuestra prosperi-
El presidente insistió además
En total, el gobierno estadou-
dad".
en la necesidad de que "las or
nidense, debido al buen momen-
ganizaciones de comercio inter-
to y a las expectativas de la eco-
Clinton aludía con ello a la au-
nacionales estén abiertas al es-
nomía, espera un superávit en
toridad de "vía rápida" por la
crutinio público".
esos 15 años de casi 4 billones
que el Legislativo concede al Go-
de dólares, que Clinton quiere
bierno autoridad para negociar
Paralelamente, dijo Clinton,
dedicar a garantizar el futuro y
acuerdos comerciales que se
"seguimos trabajando global-
la salud de los ciudadanos.
compromete a no modificar des-
mente para construir un sistema
pués.
financiero para el siglo XXI que
Además de la Seguridad So-
promueva la prosperidad" y fre-
cial, que se llevaría el 60 por
Esta autoridad es necesaria
ne el ciclo de crecimiento y re-
ciento de ese superávit con un
para negociar, entre otras cosas,
cesión.
plan innovador, Clinton propu-
el Area de Libre Comercio de las
$0 impulsar el maltrecho sis-
Américas, ALCA.
Una mayor liberalización del
tema de atención médica, al
comercio es, según Clinton, la
que pretende dedicar el 15 por
Clinton lleva sin "fast track"
mejor manera de contrarrestar
ciento del excedente presu-
casi desde el principio de su Pre-
los efectos de la crisis financiera
puestario.
sidencia porque no hay apoyo en
internacional, que es, recordó
el Congreso para que se renueve,
Clinton, "la más seria de los úl-1
Otro 11 por ciento irá dirigido
pero durante la reciente visita
timos cincuenta años".
al sistema de cuentas de aho-
a Washington del presidente ar-
ΓΓo de jubilaciones, que está
gentino, Carlos Menem, prome-
El presidente insistió en su dis-
subsidiarizado por el gobierno,
tió tratar de conseguirla este
curso sobre la necesidad de in
y una cantidad similar a otros
año.
crementar el comercio con dos
gastos, entre militares y de or-
regiones, la de Centroamérica
den social.
En su discurso de hoy, Clinton
el Caribe y Africa.
Cuba condiciona los dos partidos frente a los Orioles
(Viene de la pág. 1-A)
ones fueron el destino de los ingresos
tidos de exhibición. Antes
01/26/99
09:03
FAX
005
la libertad de Cuba
INMIGRANTES FORTALECEN
Unidos. Ellos dan nueva vitali-
Clinton, además, pidió al Con-
A EE.UU., PERO TIENEN QUE
dad a nuestras ciudades, nuevas
greso que apruebe legislación
APRENDER INGLES
energías a nuestra cultura, cons-
contra la discriminación en el
truyen nuestra nueva econo-
empleo y en favor de la preven-
WASHINGTON (EFE). El
mía", agregó el gobernante.
ción de los "delitos de odio".
presidente Bill Clinton dijo que
los "nuevos inmigrantes" forta-
lecen a Estados Unidos, pero les
advirtió de que para integrarse
en la vida estadounidense tienen
que aprender inglés.
La mitad de los 26,3 millones
Oraciones
de inmigrantes de Estados Uni-
dos son hispanohablantes proce-
dentes de Latinoamérica, y el 27
por ciento son originarios de un
A SAN JUDAS
ORACION AL
ESPIRITU SANTO
sólo país, México.
TADEO
Espirltu Santo. Tú que me aclaras todo, que llu-
minas todos los caminos para que yo alcance
"Tenemos la responsabilidad
mi ideal, Tü que me das el don Divino de per-
Abogado de los casos difíciles y
donar y olvidar el mal que me hacen y quo en
de darles la bienvenida y ellos
desesperados. Reza nueve Ave
todos los instantes de ml vida estás conmigo.
tienen la responsabilidad de in-
Yo quiero en esto cono diálogo agradecarte por
Marias durante nueve días. Pide
todo y confirmar que nunca quiero separame
tegrarse al sistema de vida es-
tres deseos: uno de negocio y
de П, por mayor que sea la ilusión material.
tadounidense. Eso significa
Desco estar contigo y todos mls scres queridos
dos imposibles. Al noveno dia
aprender inglés y nuestro siste-
en Gloria perpetua. Gracias por tu misericordia
ma democrático de gobierno",
publicar este aviso.
para conmigo y los míos.
(La persona deberá rezar esta la oración 3 dias
indicó Clinton en su mensaje so
Se cumplirá aunque no lo creas.
seguidos, sin decir el pedido. Dentro de los 3
días será alcanzada la gracia por más dificil
bre el Estado de la Unión.
Gracias por favor recibido.
que sea. Publicar en cuanto se reciba la gra-
I.V. T.V.
cla) Graclas por los favores recibidos, F.S.
El presidente Clinton ha sido
un defensor de los programas de
educación bilingüe e hizo cam-
ORACION PARA LOS
ORACION
paña en contra de la propuesta
CASOS MAS DIFICILES
Al Divino
"227" que eliminó los programas
Artte TI vengo, con toda la (é do mi alma, a bus
car TU segrado consuelo, en mi difícil stuación.
Niño
de enseñanza en español en el
No me desampares; en las puertas que Be han
estado de California.
de abrir en mi camino, sea tu brazo poderoso
Rece:
el que las abra para dame la tranquilidad que
anslo (3 peticiones dificlies). Súplica que to
7 Padrenuestro,
Además, durante el pasado
hace un corazón afligido por duros galpos del
7 Avernaría y
afto, congresistas republicanos,
cruel destino que lo han vencido slempre en la
lucha humana. y que as tu poder divino no inter-
7 Credos
encabezados por el republicano
cede en ml favor sucumbo por falta de ayuda.
por California Frank Riggs, in-
Brazo poderoso, asistente, ampárame y con-
Durante 7 días. Pida un imposi-
dúceme a la gloria celestial: Gracias duice
tentaron desmantelar la ley fe-
Jesus. (Se reza por 15 dias esta gración para
ble y será favorecido, aún sin fé.
deral de educación bilingüe.
los casos más dificiles, empezando el viemes,
Mande publicar al septimo día.
mande a publicar anles de los 8 dias).
Gracias.
A. ALONSO
NINFA
En su mensaje de esta noche,
Clinton indicó que no importa la
ascendencia de los estadouniden-
ses "debernos ser y tenemos que
A SAN JUDAS
ORACION A
ser un solo país", "no hay mayor
SAN JUDAS TADEO
obligación hacia el siglo XXI".
TADEO
Oh, gloricalaime Apósici San Judas alere fini amigo de
Jesus, el numbre del traider que antrego a VURITO quarido
Maestro en manos de BUT enemigos ha nido La cause de que
Abogado de los casos dificiles y
muches or hayan cividado, pero La fgiesta on honre e Invoice
El presidente estadounidense
universalmente como patron de los Casos dificies y dease
desesperados. Reza nueve Ave
perados. Roped per ml que any lan miserable: Y haced USD,
sostuvo que el presupuesto para
OR ruego, de can privilegia especial a vos concedido de
Marías durante nueve días. Pide
secorrer -lable prontaments cuando card as ha gerdido
el año fiscal 1999-2000 "aumen-
ada experanza. Vanid on ml ayuda on one gran necessided,
tres deseos: uno de negocio y
para que recibe too consuelos y del delo en todes
tará significativamente nues-
dos imposibles. AI noveno día
mis recesidedes. wibulaciones y aufrimientos particular
tros esfuerzos para ayudarles (a
ments(Hage aqui las suplicas especiates que doess
obtener). y para que bendige a Dia con you y con todos los
los inmigrantes) a cumplir sus
publicar este aviso.
encogidos por toda in exeminad.
Os promoto, gloridas San Judae accrdame slampre de
responsabilidades".
Se cumplirá aunque no lo creas.
020 gran tavor y runch delaré de hormerce como a ml expe-
del y poderged protector y haper todo to que pueda para
Gracias por favor recibido.
formerter vuestra devoción. So ore B dias, $ Lao # pro-
E.M.B.
mederida publicar al active alp Ea
"Nuestro nuevos inmigrantes
tienen que ser parte de Estados
Furano de Cuba, Pinocho, el caballo
camente (a lo que el
0 bola de churre, como Ud. quiera lla-
ha dicho que nananina).
marlo había declarado que se acabaric
agrícola Dwayne Andreas,
cretino que piensa que Castro es
con los robos, la prostitución, la ba
negra, etc. etc. y que para termines
esns delitos se fusilaría a los
001/002
02/02/99 22:20 FAX
1 305 621 1839
P.01
Cuban American
Democratic
*61907
Council - Florida
Facsimile
To: Maria Echaveste
From: Arnoldo Varona, Press Secretary
Date: Friday, November 27, 1998
Re: On Cuban/American Relations.
Pages: 2 (Including this).
Dear Maria: Would you be so kind as to forward
(in person if possible) this attached letter to the
President's office on Cuban Affairs.
Thanks in advance for the consideration to our request.
Yours,
Arnoldo 4
02/02/99 22:20 FAX
002/002
NOV-26-98 THU 19:42 ARNOLDO VARONA
1 305 621 1839
P.02
Miami, Florida
November 27, 1998
COUNCIL CUERAN
*
*
*
*
Founded 1973
P.O. Box 450134
Miami, Florida
USA. 33245-0134
TEL: (305) 621-3687
(305) 649-2483
President's Office on
FAX: (305) 621-1839
Cuban Affairs
[email protected]
Washington, D.C.
Ketty Gort
President
Dear Sirs:
Gorky Carrillo
Vice President
On behalf of the Cuban American Democratic Council
Margarita Rodriguez
Secretary
we would like to express our support for the continuance
of the actual Cuban Administration Policy responding
Helen Giannopoulos
Vice Secretary
to any positive step toward democracy in Cuba.
Carlos Laó
Treasurer
If any question about what Cuban American Democrats
in Florida think about it, please do not hesitate to call,
Orestes López
Vice Treasurer
Arnoldo Varona
Sincerely yours,
Press Secretary
Luis E. Chinea
Past President
and Arnoldo Varona
Public Relations
ADVISORY BOARD
Raúl Martinez
Mayor of Hialeah.
Annie Betancourt
State Representative
Willy Gort
Commissioner
cc:AV/lmn
Jimmy Morales
K.Gort
Commissioner
L.E.Chinea
CUBA: MEASURES IN SUPPORT OF CUBAN PEOPLE
January 5, 1999
CONTEXT: The President will announce today that he has authorized steps - building on
measures the Administration took last March- to increase support to the Cuban people.
Secretary Albright yesterday provided a background briefing to the press on the measures.
After release of the President's statement mid-day today, the Secretary will make a statement,
and ARA Assistant Secretary Pete Romero, NSC Senior Director Jim Dobbins, and ARA's
director for Cuban affairs will provide an in-depth press briefing over at State.
What do you plan to announce today?
Will have a Presidential statement for you around mid-day, followed by a statement by Secretary
Albright and in-depth briefing over at State.
Will announce that the President has authorized certain measures in support of the Cuban people
-- to ease current humanitarian plight and help prepare for democratic future.
Measures build on the success of similar steps the President authorized back in March.
Deal with allowing increased remittances; food sales to private entities; broader exchanges;
expanded charter flights; and efforts to establish direct mail service.
Detailed briefing will be provided at State.
How quickly will these measures be implemented?
The Departments of Treasury (Office of Foreign Assets Control), Commerce and State will
immediately begin developing implementation guidelines. Implementing regulations will be
published expeditiously, in coming weeks.
Is this a back-door way of softening the embargo?
No. Embargo remains in place. Policy is to keep pressure on the Cuban government to change --
through the embargo and diplomatic efforts -- while reaching out to the Cuban people to
encourage independent, nongovernmental activity and promote emergence of civil society.
As in last March, will implement the measures in a manner that maximizes benefit to the Cuban
people and minimizes benefit to the government.
Detailed briefing will be provided at State.
Is it true that the Baltimore Orioles are being licensed to play in Havana?
Orioles are being licensed to conduct exploratory talks with Cuban government on holding
charity exhibition games, with profits going to Cuban religious groups.
Expansion of such people-to-people contacts are intended to increase support to the Cuban
people and encourage development of civil society.
We've heard that the President has decided against forming the bipartisan commission on
Cuba that Senator Warner and others recommended. Why?
Have studied proposal with great care. Is a serious proposal, put forward in a constructive spirit
by individuals of great experience and stature.
On consideration, we have concluded that the better course for the present is to continue to
develop and implement policy toward Cuba on the basis of bipartisan consultations with the
Congress.
We believe there is broad bipartisan support for the basic thrust of our policy -- which is to help
the Cuban people prepare for a peaceful democratic transition, and to promote the
development of civil society and the expansion of contacts with the Cuban people in ways
that do not strengthen the Cuban regime.
Measures announced by the Administration last March to this end received broad support in the
Congress and in the country. We believe the further measures we are announcing today will
also secure such support.
Accordingly, Secretary Albright advised the President, and the President agreed, not to proceed
with the creation of a commission, but rather to continue to consider and develop ways to
support the Cuban people and promote a democratic transition without strengthening the
Cuban government. The Administration will continue to consult on a bipartisan basis with
all interested members of Congress and the public.
In this connection, we note and appreciate the input we continue to receive from a variety of
private and nongovernmental experts, advisory groups, and other interested constituencies
throughout the country.
01/05/99 13:57 FAX 2026475939
PA/SP
1
001
01/05/99
13:47
202 647 1533
Sec'y of State
1
002/003
OPTIONAL FORM 99 (7-90)
FAX TRANSMITTAL
# of pages
To
MAriA Educate
Secretary's statement on Cuba January 5, 1999
Dept./Agency
Phone From LUA # Rodrigucz
647-6088
Fax # 456-1907
Fax #
Good afternoon.
NSN 7540-01-317-7368
5099-101
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Last March, in response to Pope John Paul II's inspiring pilgrimage to Cuba, the Clinton
Administration took steps to reach out to the people of that country to make clear our concern for them
and to help make their lives more tolerable.
Today, after consultations with concerned nongovernmental organizations and leading Members of
Congress, we are announcing additional steps in furtherance of that policy.
Our goal is to encourage the development in Cuba of peaceful civic activities that are independent of the
government and that will help the Cuban people prepare for the day when their country is once again
free.
First, we will seek to expose additional elements of Cuban society to democratic practices and values by
encouraging additional religious, scientific, educational, athletic and other exchanges between our two
peoples. We will do this by streamlining visa and licensing procedures for travel between Cuba and the
United States by qualified persons, other than senior Cuban government officials.
Second, we will expand direct licensed passenger flights to Cuba by authorizing flights from some cities
other than Miami, and to destinations in Cuba other than Havana.
Third, we are broadening the categories of eligible recipients in Cuba for the receipt of financial
remittances from the United States. Under this policy, all U.S. residents will be authorized to send up to
$300 each quarter to any Cuban family, except for senior government and party leaders. In addition,
U.S. citizens and non-governmental organizations will be licensed, on a case-by-case basis, to send
larger remittances to entities in Cuba that are independent of the Cuban Government.
Fourth, we will authorize the sale of food and agricultural inputs to private entities and farmers in Cuba.
This will also be done on a case-by-case basis, and for the purpose of promoting economic activity that
is independent of the Cuban Government.
Finally, we will seek to restore direct mail service between the United States and Cuba.
These steps are neither designed, nor expected, to alter our relations with the Cuban government. But
taken together, they constitute a major advance in our effort to reach out to the Cuban people. They
should help all Cubans to understand that the United States is on their side in the search for economic
choice and prosperity; in the quest for freedom of religion, expression and thought; and in the desire to
fulfill Jose Marti's dream of a Cuba where all may participate freely in the political life of their country.
01/05/99 13:58 FAX 2026475939
PA/SP
1
002
sec y or State
d.
003/003
- 2 -
One year ago, Pope John Paul II brought to Cuba a message of hope and justice, liberty and love.
Thanks to him, the right to celebrate Christmas has been restored to the people of Cuba. Unfortunately,
the Cuban Government has shown no interest in restoring other freedoms. On the contrary, authorities
have been heavy-handed in crushing efforts to express dissent or to mobilize support for internationally-
recognized human rights.
It is the responsibility of the United States, our partners in the hemisphere, and the world at large to
maintain pressure for democratic change.
To this end, the Clinton Administration will continue to support adequate funding for broadcasting to
Cuba. We will ask the Broadcasting Board of Governors to study possible additional broadcasting sites.
And we will intensify our efforts through public diplomacy to promote international support for those in
Cuba who are struggling to gain the freedoms to which people everywhere are entitled.
As President Clinton emphasizes in his own statement today, our policy is designed to promote closer
ties between our people and those of Cuba without providing aid and comfort to a repressive and
backward-looking regime.
Our policy recognizes the importance of helping Cuban families to overcome the divisions imposed by
emigration and exile. For as one Cuban-American leader told us, "In building civil society, the strongest
NGO is the family."
Before closing, I want to note with appreciation the constructive proposal put forward by Senators
Warner and Dodd and others concerning the possible creation of a bipartisan commission on U.S. policy
towards Cuba.
Although we do not support establishing such a commission at this time, we will continue to study the
proposal, and to welcome other suggestions for encouraging a democratic transition in Cuba.
Next year, the world will begin a new century. In Cuba, where the population is especially young, the
personalities and policies of the leadership remain mired in the past, but the focus of the people is rightly
on the future.
We and the people of Cuba must act with tomorrow in mind. Fully aware of present obstacles, we share
a faith in the power of liberty to inspire peaceful, but far-reaching change. Although we cannot foretell
how soon; we know the day is drawing closer when the community of freedom will once more
encompass the Pearl of the Antilles and the hemisphere of American democracies will be complete.
Thank you very much.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 5, 1999
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Last March, in the wake of Pope John Paul's historic visit
to Cuba, I authorized measures designed to ease the plight of the
Cuban people and help them prepare for a democratic future. The
restoration of direct passenger flights, resumption of family
remittances, expansion of people-to-people contacts, and
increases in the sale of medicines since then have had a positive
impact. They demonstrate the United States' compassion for the
Cuban people, our strong interest in building bonds between the
citizens of our nations, and our determination to provide the
people of Cuba with hope in their struggle against a system that
for four decades has denied them even basic human rights.
Building on the success of the measures I announced last
March, I am today authorizing additional steps to reach out to
the Cuban people:
Expansion of remittances by allowing any U.S. resident (not
only those with families in Cuba) to send limited funds
to individual Cuban families as well as to organizations
independent of the government.
Expansion of people-to-people contact through two-way
exchanges among academics, athletes, scientists, and
others, including streamlining the approval process for
such visits.
Authorization of the sale of food and agricultural inputs to
independent non-governmental entities, including
religious groups and Cuba's emerging private sector, such
as family restaurants and private farmers.
Authorization of charter passenger flights to cities in Cuba
other than Havana and from some cities in the United
States other than Miami in order to facilitate family
reunification for persons living outside those cities.
An effort to establish direct mail service to Cuba, as
provided for in the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992.
At the same time, we are taking steps to increase the flow
of information to the Cuban people and others around the world,
by strengthening Radio and TV Marti and launching new public
diplomacy programs in Latin America and Europe to keep
international attention focused on the need for change in Cuba.
The United States will continue to urge the international
community to do more to promote respect for human rights and
democratic transition in Cuba.
I am also pleased to announce that I intend to nominate Mr.
Jose "Pepe" Collado and Ms. Avis Lavelle as members of the
Advisory Board for Cuba Broadcasting. I further intend to
designate Mr. Collado as chairman upon confirmation by the
Senate. This important advisory body has been without a chairman
since the death of Jorge Mas Canosa more than a year ago. We are
processing other nominations and, in cooperation with
congressional leaders, will continue to name members of this
bipartisan board.
These steps are designed to help the Cuban people without
strengthening the Cuban Government. They are consistent with our
policy of keeping pressure on the regime for democratic change --
through the embargo and vigorous diplomatic initiatives -- while
finding ways to reach out to the Cuban people through
humanitarian efforts and help in developing civil society. They
are also consistent with the Cuban Democracy Act and the Cuban
Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act. They reflect a strong and
growing bipartisan consensus that the United States can and
should do more to work with the Cuban people toward a future of
democracy and prosperity.
# # #
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001a. memo
Philip Caplan to President Clinton re: Next steps on Cuba (1 page)
12/29/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Public Liaison
Maria Echaveste
OA/Box Number: 14164
FOLDER TITLE:
Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
2016-0920-F
jm1888
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA)
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA|
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRAJ
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001b. memo
Samuel Berger to President Clinton re: Next steps on Cuba (5 pages)
12/23/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Public Liaison
Maria Echaveste
OA/Box Number: 14164
FOLDER TITLE:
Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
2016-0920-F
jm1888
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
PI National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRAJ
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors |a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Marye,
On Case you don't Rave it,
attached is a copy of the
letter from Pentrek to
the President
CraigH.
PETER DEUTSCH
MAILING ADDRESS
20TH DISTRICT, FLORIDA
204 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BLDG.
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
(202) 225-7931
-
(202) 225-8456 (FAX)
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
Congress of the United States
E-MAIL: [email protected]
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
house of Representatives
MAIN DISTRICT OFFICE
AND ENVIRONMENT
10100 PINES BLVD.
PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33026
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY
AND POWER
Mashington, DC 20515-0920
(954) 437-3936
(954) 437-4776 (FAX)
SUBCOMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND
DADE (305) 371-8721
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
November 2, 1998
KEY LARGO (305) 852-0159
BIG PINE (305) 872-3916
KEY WEST (305) 294-5815
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to follow up on your conversation with Howard Vine and me last night regarding the
issue of compensation for the families of the deceased members of Brothers to the Rescue. In response to
your request for an outline of how such compensation can be made available without compromising the
status of diplomatic assets, I am attaching a letter from Mr. Vine's associate which outlines such a plan in
detail. However, I wish to emphasize the following points.
There are recoverable, non-diplomatic assets currently available in the United States.
The Treasury Department has confirmed the existence of at least $178.2 million of known
Cuban Government assets, reportedly including approximately $100 million in royalty
payments by AT&T paid into blocked accounts between 1962 and 1993.
Royalties paid to Cuba by telecommunications carriers and airlines since 1993 can also be
directed to settle the families' claims.
I firmly believe, consistent with your statements after the murders, that the full judgment must be
satisfied as an immediate priority. Full waiver of the anti-terrorism statute, which would result in a failure
to satisfy the judgement against the Government of Cuba, would undermine our anti-terrorism policy and
nullify the existing disincentives for governments contemplating violence against American citizens.
I urge you to embrace the cause of justice in these cases and support full and immediate
satisfaction of the judgement against the Government of Cuba from existing blocked or licensed
commercial accounts. In turn, I will commit to work with the Administration during the 106th Congress
to develop a legislative proposal that addresses the concerns of the Executive Branch and meets the need
for effective, expeditious, and just enforcement of the Anti-terrorism Act.
Sincerely,
Dutsh
Peter Deutsch
Member of Congress
PD/bct
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
GREENBERG
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
TRAURIG
November 2, 1998
The Honorable Peter Deutsch
204 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Deutsch:
I am writing to follow up on your conversation at last week's reception with the
President and Howard Vine regarding the Brothers to the Rescue case.
When the Cuban Air Force attacked and murdered four residents of South Florida,
three of whom were American citizens, who were operating an unarmed civilian aircraft
over international waters in February 1996, the President characterized that act as "a
flagrant violation of international law." He further stated that he would ask
that Congress pass legislation that would provide immediate compensation
to the families, something to which they are entitled under international
law, out of Cuba's blocked assets here in the United States. If Congress
passes this legislation, we can provide the compensation immediately."
In response, Congress passed (and the President signed) the Antiterrorism Act to
allow U.S. citizens victimized by terrorism to seek justice in U.S. courts against the
government which sponsored that terrorism (including the award of punitive damages).
The families of the victims filed lawsuits under the Act, and in December 1997, won a
judgment for more than $187 million. As U.S. District Court Judge James L. King stated,
Cuba's extra-judicial killings of Mario T. De la Pena, Carlos Alberto Costa
and Armando Alejandre violated clearly established principles of
international law. More importantly, they were inhumane acts against
innocent civilians. The fact that the killings were premeditated and
intentional, outside of Cuban territory, wholly disproportionate, and
executed without warning or process makes this act unique in its brazen
flouting of international norms.
Based upon this record, the Court
would be shirking its duty were it to refrain from entering a substantial
punitive damage award for the dual purpose of (1) expressing the strongest
possible condemnation of the Cuban government for its responsibility for
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The Honorable Peter Deutsch
November 2, 1998
Page 2 of 3
commission of this monstrous act, and (2) deterring Defendants from ever
again committing other crimes of terrorism.
Despite the findings of the Court, the Administration has taken repeated steps to
block enforcement of the award and to defeat the President's policy so clearly articulated
in February 1996. As you know, this inexplicable opposition led to the recent enactment
of legislation to assure immediate compensation to the families out of Cuba's blocked
assets here in the United States.
Notwithstanding the near-unanimous support for this provision in both the House
and Senate, the very first act the President took in Fiscal Year 1999 was to issue
Presidential Determination 99-1, purporting to waive the statutory authorization to
enforce the judgments against Cuba's blocked assets. The scope and effect of that waiver
will be subject to interpretative dispute and will require judicial resolution. Based on last
week's discussion, however, it appears that a misunderstanding of the plaintiffs' intentions
in this case may have led to the exercise of that waiver.
First, let me confirm what Howard told the President last week - this is NOT a
matter which involves any diplomatic properties. In fact, court filings on behalf of the
victim's families have expressly disclaimed enforcement of the judgment against
diplomatic property. As counsel for the families, I can confirm that the families are
prepared to renounce any claim to Cuba's embassies or diplomatic accounts in the context
of a reasonable resolution of the judgment.
Second, there are substantial non-diplomatic blocked assets available under
existing Treasury Department control to satisfy the claim. Indeed, the Treasury
Department's Terrorist Assets Report issued January 1998 reports that there were $178.2
million of known Cuban Government assets, which the report characterizes as "primarily
bank accounts." Reportedly, these monies include at least $70 million and perhaps more
than $100 million in royalty payments by AT&T (or other telecommunications carriers)
which were paid into blocked accounts between 1962 and 1993. (We wish we could be
more conclusive on the amounts, but the Treasury Department has refused to respond to
our Freedom of Information Act requests and has refused to disclose this information to
members of Congress. We are proceeding with litigation to force this disclosure.)
Third, contrary to the repeated assertions of Treasury and State Department
representatives, there are NO other enforceable claims against these blocked accounts.
State and Treasury have asserted that there are 5,911 other claims, apparently referring to
claims accepted under the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission program to value claims
against Cuba. That program ended in 1972, and since that date none of the assets in the
blocked accounts has been paid to those claimants. To the contrary, as a matter of policy
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The Honorable Peter Deutsch
November 2, 1998
Page 3 of 3
the Executive Branch has (until the recent debate) refused to link the blocked assets with
those claims. The reason is made clear in the Attorney General's Final Report of the
Cuban Claims Program, issued in 1972, which states that the initial legislative proposal to
create the program included provisions that would have required liquidation of the assets
to satisfy those claims, but
after a study was made by the Treasury Department and the Department of
State, upon the direction of the President,
this section was deleted from
the legislation by Congress. Thus, in effect, this program may be classified
as a pre-settlement adjudication of claims to determine the extent of
American losses and provide a tool for our Government in dealing with he
Government of Cuba in the future on this important international issue.
Simply stated, none of the 5,911 claimants has an enforceable judgment, none has
any vested property rights under U.S. law, none has any basis to expect to receive
compensation from the blocked assets, and (until this issue arose in the last year) the
Executive Branch has always made this clear, as it did in the Attorney General's Report
that the FCSC Cuban Claims Program "does not provide for the payment of these losses.
Fourth, there is yet another tranche of non-diplomatic assets licensed by the
Treasury Department for current payment to the Government of Cuba. These are funds
paid by telecommunications carriers and airlines pursuant to licenses issued by Treasury
since 1993. As reported by Treasury, the payments by the telecommunications companies
for the last semi-annual reporting period exceeded $33 million. These funds are within
existing Treasury Department authority to direct to the families in satisfaction of the
judgment, and in any event will be subject to attachment and execution if the judgment is
not otherwise satisfied from the blocked 1962-1992 assets.
I trust that this information sufficiently responds to the request for additional
information regarding the enforceability of these judgments. I know I speak for the
families in extending thanks for your interest and efforts on their behalf, and I stand ready
to meet with you or any representative of the Administration in order to bring this matter
to a successful conclusion.
Ronald W. Kleinman
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ID:5057683019
JUN 18'97
9:08 No 002 P.01
FAX
A
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Martin J. Chávez
P.O. Box 1293
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103
(505) 768-3000
CITY OF
fax: (505) 768-3019
Albuquerque
email: [email protected]
DATE: 6/18/97
TIME:
TO: Maria Echaurste
FROM: Martin Chavez
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Number of Pages
(including cover page)
S
ID:5057683019
JUN 18'97
9:08 No. 002 P.02
Winbans
Albuquerque
Martin J. Chávez, Mayor
February 26, 1977
VIA FACSIMILE (202-514-4371) AND U.S. MAIL
Honorable Janet Reno
Attorney General of the United States
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, Rm. 4400
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
RE: Crimes Committed by Cuban Parolees
Dear Ms. Reno:
Three months have passed since I wrote to you regarding the problem of lawlessness by Cuban
parolees released in Albuquerque under the auspices of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service.
Subscquently, on December 16. 1996, I met with you in your office to discuss this matter, and
requested (1) that a one-year moratorium be imposed on Cuban resettlement in Albuquerque, (2)
that INS exercise discretion under 8 CFR § 212.5(d)(2)(i) to terminate parole for Cuban parolees
where the public interest no longer warrants their presence in this community, and (3) that INS
condition parole upon Cuban immigrants not being permitted to relocate in Albuquerque.
To date, we have not been informed of any action being taken on this matter by the Department
of Justice. We urgently request that this matter be resolved.
Sincerely,
MARTING effavez
Good for You. Albuquerques
ID:5057683019
JUN 18'97
9:08 No. 002 P.03
Albuquerque CITY OF
Martin J. Chávez, Mayor
April 7, 1997
VIA FACSIMILE AND U.S. MAIL
The Honorable Janet Reno
Attorney General of the United States
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, Rm. 440
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
RE: Crimes Committed by Cuban Parolees
Dear Attorney General Reno:
As of today, approximately 30% of the homicides in Albuquerque this year have been committed
or suffered by Cuban parolees. Other open shootings related to Cuban parolees have not resulted
in death. You were kind enough to meet with me on December 16, 1996. My staff has
communicated with your staff. I wrote you again on February 26, 1977. To date, we have still
had no decision from your office regarding the principal three issues raised at our meeting. The
federal government visited this problem upon our community. We need your assistance in
resolving it. At the very least, we need an answer.
Very truly yours
MARTIN J. CHAVEZ
Good for You. Albuquerque
ID:5057683019
JUN 18'97
9:09 No.002 P.04
A
Albuquerque CITY OF
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
(505) 768-4500
June 16, 1997
INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
TO:
Martin J. Chavez, Mayor
FROM:
Robert M. White, City Attorney.2ML
SUBJECT: General McCaffrey Visit
We have had no formal response to two letters to General McCaffrey Inviting him
to Albuquerque. John O'Donnell has also been in touch with General McCaffrey's office.
John advises me they have received the letters and will hold them until a trip to New
Mexico or Albuquerque is being planned. Their intention is to discuss with us at that time
events for the trip. I have attached copies of the letters for your consideration.
RMW/jla
Washington Outlook
EDITED BY OWEN ULLMANN
SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA:
THE BEGINNING OF THE END?
O
n the surface, the U.S. embargo on Fidel Castro's retro-
law to pave the way for ending the embargo. One example:
Marxist regime in Havana seems as tight as ever. The
medical supplies, which are now permitted with special licens-
Senate voted on July 15 to exempt humanitarian aid from
es and monitoring. In a private letter in June, the Commerce
U.S. trade sanctions-but kept in place the heavy restrictions
Dept. said it would look favorably on applications to export ex-
on aid imposed on Cuba and other nations accused of backing
perimental drugs for testing in Cuban labs. SmithKline
terrorism. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Beecham is expected to receive approval soon for a U.S. unit
Jesse Helms (R-N. crowed that the vote was a "resounding
to test a meningitis B vaccine developed in Cuba. The industry
reaffirmation" of U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba.
hopes cumbersome export rules "are going to go away or be
But U.S. business execs are betting that after nearly 40
significantly simplified," says W. Bradford Gary, a vice-president
years, the economic freeze may finally melt.
at medical-device maker Allergan Inc.
Since January, when Pope John Paul II called
"A FRESH LOOK." Lawmakers are starting to
for lifting the embargo, companies have seen
heed the growing pressure from business. Some
hopeful signs. The Clinton Administration has
130 House members and 30 senators are co-
taken small steps to ease up on Havana. Con-
sponsoring measures to take food and medical
gressional votes to lift food and medicine export
products off the embargo. Says Senator
curbs on India and Pakistan point to growing
Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.): "People on
disenchantment with all unilateral sanctions.
both sides of the aisle are willing to take a
And Capitol Hill's anti-Castro fervor may be
fresh look at Cuba." The bills have the backing
waning as Cuban-American support for the
of a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored group
embargo erodes. "There's a lot of motion on
called Americans for Humanitarian Trade with
this issue," says Kirby Jones, head of Alamar
Cuba, which includes such luminaries as former
Associates, a Washington consulting firm that
Federal Reserve Chairman Paul A. Volcker.
held a S.-Cuba business summit in March
The fate of the bills depends on how fast the
and plans another in September.
pro-embargo feeling among Cuban Americans
HAVANA SHOWS. Corporate interest has soared
fades. Dario Moreno, a Florida International
in the wake of the Pope's visit. Some 40 major
University political science professor, believes
companies attended Alamar's spring meeting,
PAPAL VISIT: Hope for a thaw
support for the embargo has dropped from
including Mobil, Texaco, Caterpillar, Continen-
80% before the Pope's visit to 65% and keeps
tal Grain, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Overall visits to Cuba by
dwindling. If that number shrinks further, President Clinton
U.S. business reps this year are expected to jump to 2,500
would likely take new steps, such as lifting travel restrictions
from 500 in 1994 and 2,000 last year, says John S. Kavulich II,
for U.S. tourists. That's a top business goal.
president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade & Economic Council. And
A high White House official says the business campaign to lift
come January, P. W.N. Exhibicon International of Westport,
the embargo would get a boost if Castro were to make a move
Conn., which held trade exhibitions in Russia in the 1970s
toward political liberalization. Corporate reps can't do much
and in China in the '80s, hopes to be ahead of the curve again
about that. But working with the Clintonites, they may see
with a medical industry trade show in Havana.
sanctions on Havana lifted sooner than once seemed possible.
The White House is trying to expand exports under current
By Stan Crock
CAPITAL WRAPUP
ARMEY'S LOSING BATTLE
BUSINESS SECRETS FOR SPIES
A NEW COPYRIGHT LAW?
Despite vows by House Majority
The CIA avoids industrial espi-
After a year of wrangling, Congress
Leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) to
onage, but it's trying to learn one
may soon pass legislation to improve
block Congress from giving an addi-
corporate secret: how to manage bet-
protection of copyrighted digital
tional $18 billion to the International
ter. The agency has brought in high-
works. Producers of DVD movies,
Monetary Fund, the money is expect-
powered corporate executives to
sound recordings, and software had
ed to squeak through. House conserv-
inspire the troops. The latest: John P.
been pushing for a ban on devices
atives are cheering on Armey's cru-
DeJoria, head of John Paul Mitchell
that circumvent the technologies in
sade to limit IMF funding to $3.4
Systems Inc., a hair-products con-
their products designed to prevent
billion. But not all GOP lawmakers feel
cern. He gave a July 20 spiel on time
piracy. On July 17, the House Com-
strongly about the issue. With Corpo-
management, motivation, and coping
merce Committee approved a bill, but
rate America and the Senate firmly in
with change-an issue that has been
turf battles with the Judiciary Com-
support of the full $18 billion increase,
a special problem for the CIA in the
mittee could stall a House vote. The
Armey's army is outnumbered.
post-cold war era.
Senate has passed similar legislation.
ARTURO MARI/AP/WIDE WORLD
BUSINESS WEEK / AUGUST 3. 1998 45
m
Business This Week
DITED BY KELLEY HOLLAND
to market Internet telephony
A NEW DOORWAY
HEADLINER: ALAN SHUGART
and videoconferencing to
AT AOL
them, but for now will refrain
from overcommercializing ICQ
DON'T SLAM THE DOOR ON YOUR WAY OUT
EN GARDE: AMERICA ONLINE is
with ads and E-commerce
ready to go head-to-head with
deals.
The end of Alan Shugart's
has dropped from 80% to
high-flying Yahoo! and Excite
reign at Seagate Technolo-
40% since early 1997. And
in the Internet "portals" busi-
gy was a shock. He was
Seagate's 1996 purchase of
ness. In September, the
LOOKING DOWN
told of his ouster by Lar-
Conner Peripherals, a
online giant will turn its
ON THE DUMPS
ry Sonsini, an old
maker of low-end
recently acquired ICQ instant-
friend and adviser
drives, didn't pay
messaging service into an
THE COMMERCE DEPT. HAS
to Seagate's
off. Shugart will
Internet portal similar to
slapped antidumping penal-
board on a Sat-
be replaced by
those run by the Internet
ties of 3% to 34% on imports
urday after-
Stephen Luczo,
search and directory compa-
of stainless-steel wire rod
noon. "The only
40, a former in-
nies-by adding content and
from Germany, Italy, Japan,
thing I could
vestment banker
search features to its chat
Korea, Spain, Sweden, and
get out of them
Shugart hired in
service. With seven million
Taiwan. But before the
was that it was
1993.
active users, ICQ (short for "I
duties are levied, the U.S.
time for a change and
Shugart had made
seek you") is quickly gaining
International Trade Com-
that it was time for me to
progress, though, reporting
ground among the young and
mission must decide if the
retire," says Shugart, 67. "I
a $25 million profit in the
tech-savvy, as opposed to
industry has been harmed. A
think it's unadulterated
June quarter. Indeed, Luczo
AOL'S more mainstream mem-
ruling is expected in Sep-
B.S., but I'm not allowed to
says there'll be no major
bers. ICQ will retain its brand
tember. Meanwhile, Asia's
say bad things about them."
shift in strategy, but he'll
to keep attracting those
crisis could produce even
Co-chairman Larry Perl-
probably revamp manage-
users. Eventually, AOL wants
more complaints as currency
man insists the board tried
ment. Says. a rival: "He'll be
devaluations lower import
to work out a smooth de-
surrounded with people who
CLOSING BELL
prices, says Greg Mastel,
parture for two years. Sea-
Al took very good care of. I
vice-president of the Eco-
gate has struggled of late.
think more shoes will drop."
LOSING ITS GLOW
nomic Strategy Institute.
Its share in high-end drives
By Peter Burrows
SunTrust Banks says its $8.6
billion purchase of Crestar
GATES PASSES THE
pany will advance delivery of
judge found that the former
Financial, announced on July
BALL TO BALLMER
a new Celeron chip aimed at
Kidder government-bond
cheap PCS by one quarter, to
chief created $350 million in
20, meets all its tests for a
LOOKS AS IF BILL GATES IS
August. That could help it
illusory profits by manipulat-
solid acquisition. But Wall
really a nerd after all. On
win back share from
ing Kidder's accounting sys-
Street disagrees. Under for-
July 21, Microsoft's chair-
Advanced Micro Devices and
tem. But Judge Carol Foelak
mer Chairman Jimmy
man and CEO elevated his
National Semiconductor. AMD
found Jett guilty only of
Williams, SunTrust sat on a
sidekick, Steve Ballmer, to
and National supplied 67% of
record-keeping violations and
hoard of Coca-Cola stock and
president so Gates can focus
the processors used in sub-
cleared him of the securities-
shunned acquisitions.
on product strategy. "We're
$1,000 PCS sold in June
fraud charge sought by the
Investors, hoping SunTrust
only one-quarter of the way
ough dealers, says
SEC. Foelak ordered that Jett
would be snapped up, bid up
along in achieving what's pos-
researcher PC Data. The chip
be barred from the industry
sible," says Gates. "I want to
its shares. When SunTrust
will replace the original
for life and required to dis-
work with our developers to
Celeron, which was panned
gorge $8.2 million in bonuses.
became a buyer, they bolted.
simplify the user interface,
by techies, and will sell for
Jett's attorney promises to
Analysts say the deal might
create computing tablets and
$150 to $200. One boost for
appeal.
help SunTrust survive-but
intelligent TVS." Operating
Intel: IBM is considering using
in the long run, might make
units, legal, product develop-
the new Celeron instead of
ment, and sales managers
ET CETERA
it a more attractive target:
AMD'S K6 in some Aptiva PCS.
will report to Ballmer. Top
88
As Fleming's sales and
priority: to make sure
stock slide, CEO Robert
86
Microsoft doesn't get "big-
JETT IS CLEARED OF
Stauth is retiring.
84
company problems," he says.
SECURITIES FRAUD
IBM consumer-division chief
82
SUNTRUST
Jim Firestone is leaving for
80
THE 1994 BOND-TRADING
Xerox.
ANDY FREEBERG: CHART BY RAY
STOCK PRICE
INTEL ACCELERATES
scandal that ended the career
78
President Clinton signed
THE CELERON
of Joseph Jett at Kidder
the Internal Revenue Ser-
76
4
Peabody culminated in a sur-
vice reform bill.
0
THE MARCH OF THE SUB-$1,000
prising verdict on July 21. A
By 264 to 166, the House
JULY 13, '98
JULY 22
PC continues, and Intel wants
DATA: BLOOMBERG FINANCIAL MARKETS
Securities & Exchange Com-
approved continuing normal
to lead the parade. The com-
mission administrative law
trade relations with China.
42 BUSINESS WEEK / AUGUST 3. 1998
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HcraldL Exiles react to Clinton's Cuba PO
Page ! of 2
The PointC:
Truly
FREE!
Click
HERALDLINK FULL STORY
Published Thursday, March 26, 7998, in the Miami Herald
Exiles react to Clinton's Cuba policy shift
Cuba
By CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS
Hereid Staff Writer
WASHINGTON Five days after the Clinton administration announced 3 series of moves to reach out
to the Cuban people, the action continues to mobilize exile activists. alternately drawing praise,
skepticism and criticism.
While many Cuban Americans have largely taken the change in stride. the policy switch has caused
consternation among politicians and axile leaders. It has exaccrbated tensions between Cuban-American
lawmakers and the largest cxile lobby. the Cuban American National Foundation. and produced angry
exchanges between the administration and some of its key Democratic advisers on Cuba
Florida lawmakers said this week that the reaction of Miami exiles to the policy shift has been relatively
muted. Chief among the changes was President Clinton's order to renew direct flights between Miami
and Havana, which were cut off in 1996, and to once again allow the direct transfer of cash to relatives
in Cuba, a practice banned since 1994.
Aides to Sen. Bob Graham seid Wednesday his office had mostly heard from callers who were in favor
of the moves. Rep. llcana Ros-Lehunen said those calling her tended to lean the other way, but were not
strenuously opposed.
"Nobody's saying this is going to further cement Castro in power." she said. "This is just where WC
were two years ago."
Nevertheless, virtually everyone who follows Cuba policy senses that the new course could herald a
broader change in the U.S. posture and possibly a first step toward greatly improved relations with
Havana That prospect, which the administration denies, has stirred a bechive.
Several dozen members of the exile group Unidad Cubana flew here Wednesday to honor Congress'
three Cuban-American lawmakers for staunchly rejecting all efforts to weaken the U.S. embargo.
Although the legislators were powerless to stop the administration's changes, leaders of Unidad Cubana
praised Reps. Ros-Lehtinen, Linooln Diaz-Balar- both Miami Republicans - and New Jersey
Democrat Bob Menendez for providing a bulwark against any warming usend toward Cuba.
"If WC drop our guard, they're going to eat us alive." said Juan Ruiz. president of the umbrella exile
organization, which counts 70 anti-Castro groups among its members.
In a statement, Unidad Cubana asserted that the overthrow of the Fidel Castro government is "the only
solution" to the Cuban crisis, and that no change in U.S. policy is warranted, because nothing on the
island has changed substantively. Wednesday's display of support for the lawmakers was necessary, the
statement said, "in view of the confusion that some of the exile organizations have created by changing
this stand."
The Cuban American National Foundation surprised many of its adherents in January by drafting a
proposal that would have sent federal food aid to Cuba for the first time since the 1959 revolution. The
proposal, which was drawn up with aides to Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., angered the Cuban-American
lawmakers who feared it would invite attacks on the embargo in the attermath of Popc John Paul IT's
visit to the island.
But while the foundation wrangled with its erstwhile allies, the administration co-opted the proposal,
which was precisely the sort of humanitarian gesture that U.S. officials had hoped would demonstrate
their solidarity with the Cuban people. With the pope decrying the embargo and the staunchly
antl-Castro foundation acknowledging need on the island, the administration feh it had the political
cover to welcome such a step.
As a result, Clinton's package included B request for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to work with
members of Congress toward drafting legislation that would ease the transfer of food to the island.
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Helms' staffers blasted the announcement as an cnd-run. They said it could ultimately burt the prospects
for food transfers because Clinton's Identification with the proposal would sap tts credibility among
Republicans.
The foundation was uncharacteristically quiet in Washington, although it voiced some displcasure
through its Spanish-language radio station in Miami.
The foundation saw the administration's move as a problem, sources said. Foundation President Pcpe
Hernandez and other officers called on several lawmakers this week, saying they hoped to craft an
entirely new proposal for legislation on Cuba
"They see themselves being marginalized from the debate," said one source who met with Hernandez
and others this week "They're desperate to do something SO they can say they're back at it."
Jose Cardenas, the foundation's Washington representative, declined to comment this week.
Finally. three Democrats who have long helped guide U.S. policy toward Cuba have privatoly volced
dismay at the administration. aides said. Sens. Graham and Bob Torricelli, D-New Jersey, and Rop.
Monendez, have complained to U.S. officials that they were not adequately consulted on the policy shift,
which they said threatens to unravel a predominantly bipartisan policy.
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Related Articles
Panel Defeats U.S. Move to Censure Cuba on Rights
European Union Drops Challenge to Helms-Burton Act (April 21)
U.S. To Easc Curbs on Relief to Cuba and Money to Kin (March 20)
Cuban Exile Group Wants Strings Attached to Aid (Jan. 30)
Cuba's Weak Sugar Harvest Is Threat to Recovery (May 18, 1997)
Cuba Measure Strikes Back at U.S. Over Helms-Burten (Jan. 11, 1997)
By JIM CARRIER
ast month. two Caterpillar Inc. executives had the kind of face-to-face
meeting with a national leader that salesmen dream about -- except the
leader was Fidel Castro, and they weren't allowed to sell him anything.
At a dinner the Cuban leader threw in Havana for several American business
people, Castro asked the Caterpillar managers about bulldozers. They told him
the largest Cat exceeded 1,000 horsepower. His bushy eyebrows shot up:
Cuba's Russian machines are only 100 horse and are notoriously unreliable. "1
can't comprehend" bulldozers like the ones his guests were describing, Castro
said through an interpreter.
At about the same time, a high-ranking Cuban diplomat traveled to the world
headquarters of the Radisson Hotels, a unit of the Carlson Cos., in St. Paul. He
assured Peter Blyth. Radisson's president, that three sites eyed by Radisson
years ago in Havana and Varadero, a resort on the northern coast, were still
available for hotel development. The properties have no claims against them by
foreigners forced out of the country after Castro took power in 1959. he added,
and the Cuban government was eager to do business with Radisson.
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These two recent contacts between capitalist America and Communist Cuba
represent a small but growing movement by American companies to prepare for
the day when doing business with Cuba is not trading with the enemy, as most
such transactions are now legally defined. In spite of the 36-year-old U.S.
embargo that probibits all but a narrow range of commercial activity, and in
spite of discouragement by the State Department, American executives are
circling the island like Navy gunboats once did, and, in increasing numbers,
actually landing.
Cuba's needs are certainly monumental. American executives who have visited
Cuba recently estimate the market just for basic goods and services like food,
medicine and road repair at $2 billion to $4 billion annually. Blyth of Radisson
Hotels predicts Americans would flood Cuba in the unlikely event that travel
restrictions were eased -- driving up the number of annual foreign visitors to 10
million from the current mostly European crop of 1.2 million. Under current
law, Americans are free to travel to Cuba, but can't spend a dime unless they are
licensed by the State Department or are the guests of officially designated hosts,
like the Cuban government or some foreign company.
"You could run brake shoes over for '53 Chevys and make a fortune," said Rob
O'Neill. manager of the Key West, Fla., harbor, who often talks with associates
about the money-making opportunities that will open up when the embargo
ends.
Before Americans can sign deals, however. Congress must lift the embargo.
And that is unlikely to happen as long as Castro remains in power. "Castro has
to leave, vertically or horizontally," said Marc Thiessen, press spokesman for
Sen. Jesse Helms, the North Carolina Republican who is chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee. Even so, he suggested, Castro's departure may
not be so far off. "We're so close," Thiessen suggested. "Castro's revolution is
dead."
Still. with the prospect of the bars coming down to the hemisphere's last
forbidden market, an island of 11 million people just 90 miles south of the
Florida coast, American business is straining at the leash. "It's not even
controversial in our membership," said John Howard, director of international
policy for the United States Chamber of Commerce. "There is a widespread and
growing sentiment that our policy toward Cuba makes no sense."
For now, American business is pretty much limited to advocating a change in
American policy, which has been dictated for decades by the mostly anti-Castro
Cuban-American community, to slipping through the few fissures that
Washington has allowed to develop in the ban, and in keeping up a dialogue
with Cubans.
The number of American business representatives traveling to Cuba -- legally,
but in most cases without State Department sanction -- has quadrupled to a
projected 2,000 this year from 500 in 1994, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade
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and Economic Council of New York.
Just last month, a delegation of mid-level officers from major corporations --
including the Mobil Oil Corp., Texaco Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn, Bristol
Myers Squibb, Continental Grain, the Case Corp., a unit of Tenneco, and
Caterpillar Inc. -- were the official guests of Castro and his top ministers in
Havana, and a follow-up trade show is proposed in September, said organizer
Kirby Jones of Alamar Associates. Another trade show for American
companies, this one for medical products, is planned within the year by PWN
Exhibicon International, based in Connecticut. For the most part, participants in
such events describe them as fact-finding tours, though American companies
are allowed to take such measures as signing nonbinding letters of intent with
Cuban groups or registering trademarks and brand names.
Meantime, President Clinton has widened ever SO slightly some small cracks in
the trade embargo. On March 20, be announced a measure to expedite
shipments of drug and medical equipment, which are already exempt from the
ban. At the same time, he authorized the resuraption of direct flights to Cuba
and of remittances of up to $1,200 by Americans to relatives in Cuba, a
measure that should boost sales for the approximately 100 American companies
given special dispensation to trade with Cuba.
Those companies do a combined $100 million-a-year business in Cuba -- a drop
in the bucket compared with the inroads being made by some of America's
trading partners. The Cuban government reports that companies from 25
countries have committed $2 billion to 340 joint ventures and associations with
the Cubans, and have announced other deals worth an additional $4.5 billion.
Canada is the biggest foreign investor, accounting for one-third of the money
flowing into the country, followed by Italy, Mexico, Spain, France and Holland.
The Sherritt International Corp. of Toronto is reportedly the single most active
foreign company. with $800 million committed. The company produces 40
percent of Cuba's oil and is also involved in mining, power generation, cell
phones, tourism and agriculture, said Patrice Merrin Best, senior vice president.
Castro. one of the world's last avowedly Marxist leaders, has made a series of
concessions to the capitalist West since the collapse of the Soviet Union and
the end of Moscow's $3 billion-a-year subsidy to his economy. He has
liberalized agriculture, allowed tourists to spend dollars, and even invited the
pope for a visit in February. In 1995, his government created free trade zones
and allowed up to 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors.
This year, the Cuban government will host 250 trade fairs. a turnabout 38 years
after Castro began the nationalization of hundreds of foreign companies that led
to the trade embargo. The first property scized, on June 29, 1960, was a Texaco
refinery. The rest followed on Aug. 6. President Kennedy imposed the embargo
Feb. 7. 1962.
Nearly 6,000 property claims have been certified by the United States; more
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than half of them. with a 1972 value of $1.8 billion. are held by 30
corporations. Under the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, the embargo can be lifted
only after those claims are settled by 2. democratic government that does not
include Fidel or Raul Castro.
Rather than cowing American companies keen on doing business in Cuba,
however, that requirement has galvanized them to speak out against the
embargo, according to John Kavulich 2nd, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade
and Economic Council, a nonprofit business organization that describes itself
as nonpartisan. "Large companies moved from just gathering information about
Cuba to finding out what they could do in Cuba today, and then doing it," he
said.
Even some companies with big compensation claims are cautious about making
an issue of them as they eye the Cuban market. Texaco hopes 10 resolve its
demand "if the opportunity represents itself," said Chris Gidez, director of
external communications. Meantime, the company sent a member of its Latin
American business team to Havana last month to meet with government
officials.
Until now, most American corporations have feared approaching Cuba's shores,
even when it was legal. Medical sales, for example, have been allowed for
years, but only -10 transactions have been licensed since 1992, and medical
companies have given away more than they've sold. Another 10 exploratory
licenses have been issued.
Medical companies appear reluctant to jump into Cuba; Eli Lilly & Co. said it
had no plans to apply for a license as long as the full embargo remained. Part of
the reason for their hesitation is the endless paperwork that awaits them. Any
pharmaceutical company wishing to exhibit products at the planned trade show
by PWN Exhibicon International, for example, must first get a permit from the
federal government, then 2. separate license to sell any product, be it an X-ray
machine or a box of surgical gloves.
Even more daunting is a prohibition on high-technology exports SO broad that it
basically includes anything with a microprocessor. "They think it's going to be
put in the nose of a cruise missile and sent back our way," said W. Bradford
Gary, a board member of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, who
visited Cuba last month. As a result, he said, Cuban doctors wash and reuse
surgical gloves and operate 1950s kidney-dialysis machines with no spare parts.
At the moment, the largest licensed transaction with Cuba is AT&T's annual
payment of $23 million for access to the Cuban market, part of $66 million in
fees from nine long-distance companies. (Most of the long-distance calls that
AT&T makes money on originate in the United States.) American airlines pay
another $6 million to fiy over Cuban air space en route to South America.
Other transactions range from Western Union moncygrams to three charter
flights a week from three Miami charter airlines, which last year were permitted
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to ily 17,000 journalists, academicians and humanitarians and 43,000
Cuban-Americans home for their once-a-year family visit.
After two American civilian planes were shot down by Cuba in 1996, direct
flights to the island were banned, and American visitors had to travel first to
Mexico or the Bahamas and board foreign airlines there for the final leg to
Havana. President Clinton's reversal of that policy is expected to reduce the
round-trip fare to about $300 from $400, while boosting the traffic handled by
American charter companies by 50 percent, to 90,000 passengers a year, said
Vivian Mannerud. president of the Airline Broker Co.
"Since the pope's visit. we've seen an increase in visa applications, nearly
doubling," Ms. Mannerud said. "People are saying it's time to visit their
families, some who have waited 30 years."
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April 22, 1998
Panel Defeats U.S. Move to Censure Cuba on
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Related Articles
U.S. Businesses See Vast Potential Market in Cuba
U.S. To Ease Curbs on Relief to Cuba and Money to Kin (March 20)
Cuban Exile Group Wants Strings Attached to Aid (Jan. 30)
Cuba Measure Strikes Back at U.S. Over Helms-Burton (Jan. 11, 1997)
Europe's Call for Rights in Cuba Wins U.S. Approval (Dec. 4, 1996)
By ELIZABETH OLSON
ENEVA, Switzerland -- An effort led by the United States to rebuke
Cuba for its human-rights practices was voted down Tuesday by the U.N.
Human Rights Commission.
The defeat appears to reflect a growing sentiment, particularly among
Europeans and Latin Americans, that Cuba cannot be isolated forever and that
it is making efforts to meet its international human-rights obligations.
The U.S.-sponsored resolution called on Havana to "promote and protect
human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to "release numerous persons
detained for activities of a political nature."
Nineteen countries voted against the proposal -- including China and Russia --
and 16. including the United States, Britain, France and Germany, voted in
favor. Another 18 members, including many Latin American countries,
abstained.
"This vote has repaired a historic mistake and has ended selective and
discriminatory treatment against us," Maria de los Angeles Florez, Cuba's chief
delegate, said after the vote.
Also on Tuesday, the rights commission criticized Iraq, adopting a resolution
that "strongly condemns the systematic, widespread and extremely grave
violations of human rights," which it said resulted "in an all-pervasive
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repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and
widespread terror."
The resolution was approved, 32-0, after Russia failed to muster support for
diluting it by removing some of the tougher wording. Russia and China were
among the 21 countries that abstained.
In Cuba's case, an independent U.N. investigator, Carl Johan Groth of Sweden,
told the commission last month that President Fidel Castro's communist
government systematically and brutally repressed its domestic critics.
But he added that the nearly four-decade-long U.S. cconomic embargo against
Cuba was partly to blame for the situation, causing a "tragic shortage of
material goods" and "untold hardships."
The U.S. effort to keep pressure on Cuba has been steadily losing allies.
Beginning with the first U.S. resolution in 1992, support has been dwindling.
This year Italy and France, which co-sponsored the U.S. resolution in 1997,
refused to do SO again, although they did vote for it.
France declined co-sponsorship because of Washington's hard line on Cuba, the
French delegate, Marion Paradas-Bouveau, said. "Cuba has cooperated with the
U.N. human-rights bodies." she said. Failure to include amendments sponsored
by the European Union also weakened support, further isolating the United
States on Cuba, she added.
Disenchantment with U.S. policy bas been fueled by European objections to the
Helms-Burton Act, which imposes penalties on companies that use U.S.
properties in Cuba that were seized by the Castro government three dccades
ago.
Cuba's overtures toward the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the visit of
Pope John Paul II in January, and the country's increasing acceptance at
international and regional forums boistered its campaign to portray itself as a
victim of a vindictive United States, a diplomat said.
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Cuban-Americans lobby for easing of embargo
http://www.usaengage.org/news/980331dn.html
31 March 1998
The Detroit News
Associated Press By George Gedda
Cuban-Americans lobby for easing of embargo
WASHINGTON -- Energized by Pope John Paul II's recent visit to Cuba, hundreds of
Cuban-Americans went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to demand unrestricted sales of food and
medicine to the island.
On a day featuring Miami-like heat, the Cuban-Americans sought to make their case in
congressional offices and at a news conference, buttressing their arguments with a petition
signed by 12,000 sympathizers.
The visitors, mostly from the Miami area, designated Tuesday as the "National Day of
Education and Advocacy for Food and Medicine Sales To Cuba."
At present, food sales to Cuba are barred and licenses must be obtained for the sale of
medicines and medical supplies. Bipartisan proposals in Congress to end the restrictions
have been gaining momentum, but proponents of maintaining the status quo still appear to
have the upper hand.
The visiting Cuban-Americans wore buttons saying, "End the embargo on food and
medicine to Cuba." They claim the support of business, farm, labor, humanitarian and
medical groups and also have made some minor inroads into Republican ranks, traditionally
strongly supportive of maintaining the status quo with Cuba.
One such Republican, Sen. John Warner of Virginia, told the news conference the United
States cannot project itself as a caring nation if it puts limits on humanitarian sales to Cuba.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said the process of change following the papal visit
already is under way in Cuba, pointing to the hundreds of prisoners who have been released.
Declaring that he does not want to see "the perpetuation of a dictatorship" in Cuba, Dodd
said the United States can contribute to peaceful change by making humanitarian exceptions
to the embargo.
At present, a Senate bill backed by Dodd has 26 co-sponsors. Similar legislation on the
House side has 112.
Long overshadowed by more conservative exiles, Cuban-Americans who favor a less hostile
approach toward the island have been more assertive following the visit of the pope, who
opposes the nearly four-decade-old embargo.
Sensing a shift in the public mood, the administration came up with its own program two
weeks ago for easing the humanitarian plight among Cubans without altering the embargo.
Included in the initiative is an end to a 4-year-old ban on remittances by Cuban-Americans
to family members on the island and a resumption of direct charter flights to Cuba.
Gen. John Sheehan, who recently retired from the military after serving as commander of
U.S. forces in the Atlantic, said Tuesday the administration's proposals don't go far enough.
"Cuban-Americans -- and religious and humanitarian groups that currently send aid to Cuba
-- are here today to push for sales of food and medicine because they know from experience
that sending more charity alone simply cannot solve the problem," he said.
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Sylvia Wilhelm, of the Miami-based Cuban Committee for Democracy, said, "Months of
haggling over how to get more aid to Cuba will just delay what Cuban women, children and
the elderly need now. We plan to work around the clock to get this legislation passed."
Before the news conference, the head of Cuba's diplomatic mission in Washington,
Fernando Remirez, said the Clinton administration seemed to be of two minds about how to
deal with Cuba.
"On the one side, you are giving aid and on the other side you are trying to strangle the
Cuban economy," Remirez told reporters at a breakfast session unrelated to the activities on
Capitol Hill.
He called the administration announcement of two weeks ago a positive step but said Cuba
prefers the legislation supported by Dodd and Warner. He added that the ultimate solution
to the U.S.-Cuban impasse is the lifting of the whole embargo, not just a small part of it.
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USA*ENGAGE March 20, 1998 Press Release
http://www.usaengage.org/news/980320pr.html
USA*ENGAGE
For Immediate Release
March 20, 1998
USA*ENGAGE Hopeful U.S. on Threshold of New
Cuba Policy
Washington, D.C. In the wake of President Clinton's announcement easing some
restrictions on flights to Cuba, among other minor measures, USA*ENGAGE today
reiterated its call for a new Cuban policy.
"Today's action is a good first step, and we congratulate President Clinton. We are hopeful
that the easing of these restrictions will mark a new policy of engagement with Cuba," said
Frank Kittredge, President of the National Foreign Trade Council and Vice Chairman,
USA*ENGAGE.
In addition to allowing direct charter flights, the United States will now allow
Cuban-Americans to send limited financial aid to families in Cuba, and will ease the
restrictions on the sale of medical supplies for humanitarian purposes.
"Family-to-family financial aid is important, however the new policy doesn't go far enough.
U.S. dollars will now be more readily available to Cubans to spend - but only on non-U.S.
goods. Establishing trade ties and eliminating travel restrictions, in addition to private
financial aid, is the best way to engage the Cuban people and set the wheels in motion for a
new relationship with Cuba," Kittredge continued. "It's time to end the 'cold war' with Cuba
and embark on policies that will promote human rights, education, and political and
economic reforms."
Now 669
SA*ENGAGE is a coalition of 661 small and large businesses, agriculture groups and
trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign
policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad.
Contact: Eric Thomas 202/822-9491
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USA*ENGAGE March 12, 1998 Press Release
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USA
ENGAGE
For Immediate Release
March 12, 1998
USA*ENGAGE Calls For A New Cuba Policy
Washington, D.C. -- USA*ENGAGE cited today's hearing of the House International
Economic Policy and Trade Subcommittee as a perfect opportunity to review U.S. policy
towards Cuba. USA*ENGAGE believes the Helms-Burton law is proving to be
counterproductive by strengthening the Castro regime, hurting the Cuban people, and
undermining American relations with our closest allies.
"U.S. policy toward Cuba is outdated," remarked Frank Kittredge, Vice-Chairman of
USA*ENGAGE. "The U.S. has the chance to encourage positive change in Cuba by
promoting a policy of engagement and opening a dialogue with the Cuban people and the
Government. It is time for Congress and the Administration to recognize that as a result of
Pope John Paul II's historic visit changes are occurring in Cuba."
Kittredge noted that "Just last week, over 50 U.S. businessmen traveled to Cuba to meet
with top Cuban officials. The American delegation saw first hand the harmful effects of a
society isolated from American influence. It's time to completely overhall America's policy
toward Cuba."
"We agree with the Miami Herald that it's time to lift all curbs on travel and remittances to
Cuba as well as end the ban on the sale of food and restrictions on the sale of medical
products."
U.S. policy toward Cuba is losing support even in Representative Illeana Ros-Lehtinen's
own state of Florida. According to a recent Miami Herald editorial, "Cuba is ripe for a
transition, as the Pope's visit demostrated. But the embargo is far too blunt an instrument for
today's reality. Even worse is the Helms-Burton Act."
JSA*ENGAGE is a coalition of 661 small and large businesses, agriculture groups and
trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign
policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad.
Contact: Eric Thomas 202/822-9491
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USA*ENGAGE January 16, 1998 Press Release
http://www.usaengage.org/news/9801 16pr.html
USA ENGAGE
For Immediate Release
January 16, 1998
THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO GO FURTHER
Washington, D.C. USA*ENGAGE today supported President Clinton's waiver of Title III
of the Helms-Burton law and called for his leadership in formulating a new policy towards
Cuba.
"As we said today in our open letter to President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich and Majority
Leader Lott, we believe that now is the time to explore new initiatives to promote freedom
in Cuba," said Frank Kittredge, President of the National Foreign Trade Council and Vice
Chairman of USA*ENGAGE. "Next week, Pope John Paul II will visit Cuba. This is the
right time for the United States to demonstrate further leadership. We urge our leaders to
publicly commit to ending the ban on the export of U.S. food and medical supplies and to
use our most effective tool for positive change: engagement at all levels."
USA*ENGAGE is a coalition of 660 small and large businesses, agriculture groups and
trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign
policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad.
Contact: Page Gardner 202/822-9491
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USA*ENGAGE January 15, 1998 Press Release
http://www.usaengage.org/news/980115pr.html
USA ENGAGE
For Immediate Release
January 15, 1998
IT IS TIME FOR A NEW CUBAN POLICY
Washington, D.C. -- American business and agricultural communities have joined
USA*ENGAGE in sending President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich, and Majority Leader Lott
an open letter calling for a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.
In anticipation of Pope John Paul II's historic trip to Cuba, the letter calls for a public
commitment -- in the State of the Union Address and the Republican response -- to end the
ban on the export of U.S. food and medical supplies to Cuba as a first step toward
engagement.
"The Pope's pastoral visit to Cuba is an historic event that lays the groundwork for new
opportunities in promoting human rights, education, political and economic reform," said
Frank Kittredge, President of the National Foreign Trade Council and Vice Chairman of
USA*ENGAGE. "It is time for us to put 'cold-war' policies behind us and begin to actively
influence and promote change in Cuba through constructive engagement."
The letter will appear in The Wall Street Journal as an advertisement on Friday, January 16,
1998. Click here to view the letter as it will appear.
USA*ENGAGE is a coalition of 660 small and large businesses, agriculture groups and
trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign
policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad.
Contact: Eric Thomas, Page Gardner, or Mara Gavin 202/822-9491
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April 15, 1998
The Honorable Dan Burton
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representatives Burton, Diaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen:
I welcome the opportunity to respond to your March 9 letter concerning the recent
visit to Cuba by Caterpillar representatives along with others from the business
community.
Caterpillar agrees with many members of the religious, humanitarian, agricultural,
and business communities who are questioning America's policy toward Cuba
because that policy simply isn't working. Rather than promoting freedom and
positive change in Cuba, America's current policy of isolation and containment has
tended to bolster a struggling regime, hurt the Cuban people, and isolate Cuban
society from American influence.
There's no question that it is a failed communist system and a totalitarian
government that is responsible for the poverty and repression in Cuba. It is also true
that during the past 50 years, the United States has succeeded in spreading
American ideas and ideals throughout the world by pursuing a full range of foreign
policy options ranging from full engagement to intervention.
The essential question is how best to promote freedom and positive change in
Cuba? Following Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Cuba many people of
goodwill are trying to answer that question. The attached March 1 Miami Herald
editorial calling for modest changes to the current policy is thoughtful and
constructive. We urge you to study it. It may be the basis for common ground.
TNC.
- 2 -
We also note that many members of the Cuban-American community are trying to
encourage positive change in Cuba by seeking to ease the U.S. embargo. At
Caterpillar, we believe engagement can be a positive force for change when pursued
at all levels -- political, diplomatic, economic, charitable, religious, educational, and
cultural. It is certainly working in many parts of the world.
If the Miami Herald is correct when it states that Cuba is "ripe for transition" and
the current U.S. policy "only maintains the status quo," it would be a shame if an
open discussion about a new Cuba policy didn't soon take place. To promote
greater understanding there also needs to be more people-to-people and
humanitarian contact with Cuba. But that can only occur if Americans travel to
Cuba. That's one of the reasons why our representatives visited Cuba earlier this
year.
While we recognize no one has a monopoly on wisdom, we plan in the months
ahead to urge U.S. policy-makers to explore new initiatives to promote freedom in
Cuba. We hope you will be supportive. But even if we end up disagreeing, we
hope you will respect our views.
Sincerely,
of
Donald V. Fites
sm
attach.
12.12PM
THE MIAMI HERALD
GIVING HOPE A PUSH
Sunday, March 1, 1998
Section: Editorial
Page: 2L
SOURCE/CREDIT LINE: Herald Staff
In the wake of Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba, competing bills in Congress vie to lift curbs on supplying
medicine and food to Cuba Either approach would modify the U.S. embargo. essentially unchanged for 36
years. These efforts, though, beg another response: Washington needs to examine embargo provisions that
are overripe for overhaul.
The Herald always has supported the embargo's ban on U.S. business dealings with or in Cuba. We still do.
This ban remains a valuable bargaining chip that the United States must not hand over to Fidel Castro
without some quid pro quo. The embargo. if nothing else. is a brake against the Cuban tyrant's everlasting
deviousness.
Times have changed, however. Cuba is ripe for a transition, as the Pope's visit well demonstrated. But the
embargo is far too blunt an instrument for today's reality. Even worse is the Helms-Burton Act. It narrowed
the President's options on Cuba policy while alienating U.S. allies with its extraterritorial reach.
Within these constraints, the current U.S. nonpolicy toward Cuba- -- that is, to react rather than act - only
maintains the status quo. Opportunity to promote positive change is being wasted.
Follow the Pope's lead
The United States, by policy and action, should proactively encourage a peaceful transition, participative
democracy, and fundamental human rights in Cuba. As the Pope wisely counseled, Washington should
encourage Cuba to open leself to the world. and the world to open to Cuba. This requires changes in the
embargo that would encourage people-to-people and humanitarian contact with individual Cubans. That
would entail lifting certain restrictions on travel, remittances, and the sale of medicine and food.
President Clinton should take the lead. He can begin by taking actions not constrained by law. First, he
should lift the prohibitions on direct flights to Cuba and on sending money to individuals there. Direct
flights were banned two years ago after Castro's government shot down two Brothers to the Rescue planes,
murdering four South Floridians. Today, however, this ban hinders both humanitarian efforts and people
exchanges. U.S. Carholic Relief Services, for example, has $6 million in donated medicines to ship to
Cuba.
But it must wait for approval from three federal offices to arrange a direct flight. A ban on using U.S.
carriers for such flights further complicates aid efforts.
A ban on remittances is also counterproductive. Before, U.S. households could send up to $300 per quarter
to people in Cuba. But President Clinton forbade even that in 1995. Did that stop remittances to Cuba?
Hardly: They're now estimated at up to $800 million a year. Despite exile hard-liners who argue against
sending any cash, countless Cuban Americans violate this ban regularly, and with impunity. While wrong
to break the law, they do so to relieve cheir loved ones' suffering. Who can blame them? Blood is thicker
than law. Always has been. Always will be.
These dollars from exiles and others in America pay for everything from children's milk to typewriter paper
for independent journalists to soap for families. Yes, those dollars indirectly prop up Castro's atrophied
economy. But the humanitarian benefits far outweigh the gains for Castro.
APR. 17. 1990 12:12PM
CATERPILLAR INC.
NO.
4378
F.
Such was the case with direct telephone calls to Cuba. Though Castro's government gets hard currency for
the calls, the communications opening provides 2 communications lifeline berween here and Cuba.
For the same reasons and more, restrictions on Americans' travel should be lifted - totally. Americans with
family members there, those on cultural exchanges, academics, journalists, and scientists are now
authorized to travel to Cuba. Others may not go legally - but they do, illegally, via third countries.
Americans have a constitutional right to travel where and when they please except to war zones or during
national emergencies. Let them go see - and by their presence undermine - Castro's socialist paradise." It
would hurt Castro more than Washington.
Free up food. medicine
Finally, for humanitarian reasons, U.S. companies should be allowed to sell medicine and food in Cuba.
Not that Cuba has the hard currency to buy either, thanks to Castro's ruinous economic policies. Indeed, the
United States currently authorizes millions in food and medical donations to Cuba. Much is sent by South
Florida exiles vía parcels. Other donations are funneled though Catholic Relief Services, its ultimate
distribution monitored by Caritas Cuba. The monitoring is wise, prevents ill use of aid, and should
continue.
Allowing Cuba to buy food and medicine directly from U.S. companies really wouldn't change much at all.
Whatever benefit Castro might obtain would be small compared with the devastating truth: Cuba no longer
can feed and care for its people.
Cracks are visible in Cuba's system. The openings provide realistic hope for change now. To protect itself
from the horror of a Ceausescu-style transition, and to plant seeds for funure relarions with a free, self-
determined Cuba, the United States should waste no time in fine-runing its overbroad embargo.
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
March 9, 1998
Mr. Donald V. Fites
Chairman and CEO
Caterpillar Inc.
100 NE Adams Street
Peoria, Illinois 61629
Dear Mr. Fites:
5
We are disappointed that press reports state that a representative of your company
participated in a conference recently held in Cuba that promoted business opportunities on the
enslaved island. The conference included meeting with Fidel Castro, the Cuban dictator, and
other high ranking members of the Cuban regime.
Cuba remains the last bastion of totalitarian communism in our hemisphere. Cuban
workers enjoy no labor rights and are denied the most fundamental and internationally recognized
human rights. The Cuban people are treated as economic slaves, where the state, not the
individual, is the sole owner of the means of production.
As a U.S. company built on the entrepreneurial spirit that characterizes American
capitalism, it would be shameful for Caterpillar to consider business opportunities in a system that
suppresses the freedoms that have helped Caterpillar and the American economy to be the world's
envy. Cuba will undoubtedly be a great market for Caterpillar, but only after Castro and his thugs
are out of power and Cuban workers are free. Moreover, the Cuban people will resent those
companies which dealt with Castro in order to fill their pockets with profits while ignoring the
suffering of the people.
We urge you not to have Caterpillar participate in forums which promote business
opportunities in Cuba, and instead, stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of the island in
their struggle to achieve political freedom and the liberty to pursue their economic dreams.
We would appreciate a written reply to our concerns.
Sincerely,
Burton
lleana Ros-Lehtinen
Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Dan Burton
Member of Congress
Member of Congress
Member of Congress
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
30
FAX
Cuban Emigre
JIMENEZ, From DI
- He's stopped trying to explain
Cuba-the theater of the abourd.
Bobby Jimenez
"It's a long story. It's like a
he calle It. "If you know Ionesco,
movie story, you know."
you know Cuba."
It opens in 1958, a year before
He describes the period, with
Was a Famous
the revolution, 20 years after Jime-
remarkable fortitude, as "just sing-
nez was born, in the basement of R
ing in some places and that's all."
Singer. Until-
building across from the Havana
Hilton. It's the basement where
Shuffling through tattered papers
Jimenez performed in public for
from the time, he mutters. "Que
The Castro
the first time. He sang "Love Is 1
barbaridad"-Good Lord. what a
Many-Splendored Thing" in a tal-
shame.
Government
ent show and was hired immedi-
Jimenes signed contracts to sing
ately to perform at Curly's Flamin-
at clubs In Mexico and Canada but
Well-Versed in Exile
Decided He
go Bar-Nite Club-a name that
never got off the island. In the most
hints at all the damboyance of '50a
galling incident, Alex Cardini, the
pre-Castro Cuba. It was a time
owner of a Mexican club called
Shouldn't Be.
when Cuba looked to the West, not
Cardini'e-where Sinatra Was then
the East, and foreign-financed de-
performing-came to Cuba to re-
velopment was raging. often at the
cruit Jimenes. "He said, T need
expense of the poorest Cubana.
someone different for the people, a
The Insatiable courist trade de-
different artist, someone un-
By NICHOLAS DAY
manded handsome, talented. Eng-
known.' Jimenez said he would
Washington Post staff Writer
liah-speaking singers. It was as if
be denied permission. "Why are
Jimenez, who grew up listening to
you so pessimistic?" asked Cardini.
f you saw him-puff-haired,
Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and
Tm not pessimistic," Jimenez an-
I
plump, polite-in customer ser-
"Your Hit Parade," was answering
swered. He was realistic. He never
vice at Hechinger in Tenley-
a personal ad.
got to Cardini's.
town, you wouldn't know about
Like Cuban boys on sandlots
He was like a dog. That's how he
it, of course. You wouldn't
looking to baseball for the future,
terms it. "Listen. You have a dog,
know about that horrible Ha-
Jimenez always looked to music-
you put your string to the dog and
vana winter of 1984.
and, like those dusty kida, always
the beautiful dog, he rune and he
He was a singer, but he was barred
to the United States. During those
plays. Oh, what a beautiful dog!*
from performing. He was married, but
first few years, he had increasing
His voice is high with mockery,
he was alone.
success, singing not just in clubs,
"But if he wants to go there, he
The problem is, I was honest," he
but on television as well The '59
can't Because he has a string. You
days. "I wasn't hypocritical They
revolution-which radically re-
understand? Up to a certain point.
sometimes said, If you were a little
structured society and, & few years
No more."
wise, you could be higher than where
afterward. erased U.S.-based tour-
you are."
(am-didn't affect his career imme-
He'd performed in the best night-
diately. He was named "best new
Bobby Jimenez's story is about
clubs and restaurants in Havana. But
artist" in 1963 by a Cuban newspa-
more than a might-have-been-fa-
he'd been prohibited from public ap-
per. He eventually would appear at
mous singer's frustrated career.
pearances since 1981, a punishment
all the great and glorious Havana
It's about the choices that Cubans.
for asking permission to leave the
clubs: the Capri Hotel, Havana
artists or not, have been making
island.
Riviera, National Hotel Casino
for the last 40 years.
"Years of my life without any rea-
Partslen, Havana Hotel-smack
To illuminate such choices. it's
son."
across the street from the base-
Instructive to look at Jimenez's
In a desperate attempt to get him
ment where he began. He sang in
former friendship with Pablo Mi-
out, his longtime Belgian fiancee flew
the swankest place in Havana, the
lanes, the world-famous Cuban rev-
to Cuba and they bastlly married. Then
Tropicana. If you lived in Havana
olutionary folk singer. What hap-
she left and he stayed. It wasn't his
then, and you had not heard of
pened to their friendship is
choice.
Jimenez, someone else you knew
You wouldn't know that his story
would have.
"normal" according to Jimenez.
isn't singular but plural That his past,
Jimenez was not a revolution-
Years ago, Milanea was, Jime-
like a sort of tropical telescope, could
ary. He was not a counterrevolu-
nez says, like "my younger brother.
magnify the many unseen, and upact-
tionary, either-not that it mat-
He lived in my home and he used to
Ling, atories of other Cubans.
tered. To the Castro regime, you
sleep in my own bed like brothers
Your only clue to anything. If you
were either with the revolution or
together."
were lucky, was that you could hear
against it. The national tourism
Their break came after Milanes
him singing-not under his breath, but
bureau, INIT. controlled the sched-
was released from prison in the
louder, because there was no one
ules of the artists-setting dates,
'60s. He'd been put there by Castro
telling him not to-in Spanish, right
places, pay---end the officials be-
for "anti-revolutionary" activities.
there next to Hechinger's tollet dis-
gan to get antsy about Jimenes. He
"I think-and I'm not sure of this,
play.
was asked to use "Roberto" instead
because after that I didn't see any
He'll be recording his second album
of "Bobby"-"it was too Yankee,
more of Pablo-that among the
soon. He's got to practice.
they said." And Jimenez, who sang
things they told him was that he
in Engilsh, French. Portuguese,
had to stop being friends with me.
Italian and Spanish, was told "to be
From that time on, Pablo was never
"It's very strange. my story," Bobby
careful about those American
at by house again."
Jimenez says. Incredibly, that other-
songs." He ignored both sugges-
Now Milanes and Silvio Rodri-
worldly story does not seem to have
tions. Then, suddenly. an apparent
guez, who also was Imprisoned and
eutangied him in embitterment. He's
punishment came down. a giant
then released. are the voices of the
soft-spoken and reserved. But be has
foot crushing a budding career: a
revolution-sturningly beautiful
many reasons not to be.
total ban from radio or television.
voices, extraordinarily talented
They never explained the reason,"
composers. Castro has said, The
See JIMENEZ. D2. CoL. I
he says.
success of Silvio and Pablo is the
The Washington Post
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1998
07/27/98 MON 02:51 FAX
023
success of the revolution."
There's the abrupt annulment of
everyone will know that I am leav
a friendship. There's the transfor-
ing.''
Sometimes Jimenez wonders If
mation of anti-revolutionary prison-
Enter Francolse Joris, an official
there's any record of him back in
are into revolutionary heroea.
at the Belgian Embassy in Havans,
Cuba.
There's the choice that each man
who met Jimenez at a party in 1978,
Used to be, when you left Cuba,
made.
a year after she arrived in Cuba.
you disappeared from Cuban histo-
As an artist in Cuba, by all
They were engaged within two
ry. In effect, you had never been
accounts, you capitulated. compro-
years. She left Cuba in 1981-trans-
there. You ceased to exist
mised. lied or were shut out. That's
ferred out. So he asked the Cuban
For a singer, that meant your
what these lives surgest That's
government for permission to
name was erased from your albums.
why the view from Bobby Jimenez's
leave, too.
"The people who were born when I
apartment on Wisconsin Avenue is
He was stripped of his profes-
left, they don't know anything about
of the street, not the sea.
aion-prohibited from singing,
me," Jimenez says. He fears that
The story of Bobby Jimenez and
from appearing on television and
someday he'll find a record of his
Pablo Milanes is of lives deter-
radio, from everything. He was sent
labeled "artist unknown."
mined not just by talent and for-
to the national tourism bureau,
Over the last decade. however.
tune. Perhaps the choices that they
INIT-his employer for more than
policies have changed The Cuban
made were morally loaded. Perhaps
two decades-to clean the rest-
government has realized that it may
they were not really choices at all
rooms. "Like an example for the
not be advantageous to deny Cuban
other artists." He refused. In a
heritage to those who bring fame to
sense, he did not exist in Cuba
Perhaps only Cubans, those
the country. For instance. Celia
who've experienced it, can under-
anymore: he had essentially left the
Crus, a prominent exiled anti-Castro
country. Problem was, he was still
stand, can judge.
singer, is now called a Cuban must
there.
Bibiana Borroto, who brilliantly
clan and her work is sold in Havana.
Then Junenez had an epiphany
accompanies Jimenez on guitar on
There is increasing cultural CA-
his recent recording. Immigrated to
of sorts: T was desperate, because I
change between the United States
Miami a decade ago. Her father was
was waiting and waiting and wait-
and Cuba, slipping its way around
a political prisoner for five years in
ing and nothing happened. 80 I
the embargo. This year, an ad hoc
Cuba, and because of that her future
wrote a letter to the queen." The
group of older Cuban musicians-all
as a classical gultarist was atymied.
Queen of Belgium, that is. Queen
of whom still live in Cuba-called
Fabiota.
But like Jimenez, she is not mired
Buena Vista Social Chib won a
in resentment. On the subject of
Remarkably, he received a re
Grammy Award for their epony.
Milanes and Rodriguez ahe aays:
sponse. His situation was intrigu-
mous album, produced by an Ameri-
"They just gave up. I don't think
ing. the letter read, and they would
can for an American label. Earlier
they wanted to leave Cuba. I'm not
do their best. The Belgian ambas-
this month, they performed to a
trying to say that they weren't
sador promised assistance.
sold-out Carnegie Hall
good.
Hoping that a legal bond would
To Cuban Americans who left in
"Everybody has the right to do
help apring Jimenez, Joris flew back
desperation and despair, the mes-
whatever they want."
to Cuba in December 1983. In that
sage now being preached by the
Cuban winter both horrible and
regime is of forgiveness. Come back.
wonderful, they were wed. Then
come home.
ahe left, on orders from the Cuban
All of which would seem to
Jimenez finally got back on radio
and television in the 70s-Just as
government. "They told me I could
change Jimenez's situation-casen-
mysteriously as he' been taken off.
go with her. They promised."
tially an exile's situation. Or maybe,
He was relegated to second-rate
from his perspective, it doesn't
clubs and shows, beginner stuff.
January passed. February, March
change it at all
Never the good stuff
One day in April, of that sweet,
When you go from Cuba, you are
He cut a handful of 45a, contrib-
sweet spring of 1984, he got the
worse than a murderer in that time,"
uted songs to a couple of full-length
word: Free to leave. He was at the
says Jimenez, speaking of when he
compilations but couldn't buy cop-
airport the following day in a shirt
left. "Now I'm not a traitor, nor a
ics of any; his records were sold
and a tie, carrying a suitcase.
gusana, a worm. Now Tm a Cuban,
only in stores for foreigners and
The shirt and the the were man-
like those that are &here. We're all
datory: Cuban citizens had to look
the same, like brothers."
tourists. He tried to buy one once
but it was snatched away by the
respectable arriving to a foreign
He doesn't think he'll return. His
store owner. "I asked him, Did you
country, The suitcase was manda-
father died nine years ago, his moth-
see who's this? That's mel' I It
tory: Cuban citizens could not look
et 20. He has got only a few uncles
as if they had left the country with
left. What's the -point? be asks.
didn't matter.
nothing. Although they had. That
"Almost everyone is dead. Forever."
The only 45 he has was a present
from a friend who bought it in
suitcase was empty. Everything JH
menez now has of bis life to Cuba
Moscow,
He was itching to get out. But he
had been smuggled out by Joris in
After a year in Switzerland,
the years before.
says he refused to flee illegally and
On the flight, a stranger, who
See JIMENEZ, D3. Col. 1
he refused to lie to gain the trust of
knew that a fleeing Cuban was a
the government. "I said, If I go,
penniless Cuban, bought him a beer.
The Washington Post
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1998
07/27/98 MON 02:52 FAX
021
JIMENEZ From D2
where Jorie was working at the Belgian
Embassy, Jimenez found himself in Miami.
He'd been invited to sing at a concert. Little
Havana. How could he not go?
"When I came, I said, 'I stay.'
He was expecting a lot from Miami. Like
in 20-bit sound, nearly the highest quality
many Cuban emigres, he went there with
available-and will receive International
vague hopes-a feeling, yet again, that
distribution. It is an outstanding newly
something was coming, something good.
released album of songe by Cuban compos-
He found a community caught up in indight-
ere-Including a century-old slave song. an
ing. He found that of all the things they
art fast fading.
could not take away from him in Cuba, they
Junenez hasn't done much work around
did manage to take one thing away: youth.
town, It's something he seems resigned to.
"Maybe I was dreaming but I thought
He was sigging at a place in the George-
that Miami could be the place to start again,
town Park mall before it turned into a toy
but maybe it was too late.' he says.
store. He's sung in a few shows at Mount
7 was disappointed: I felt cheated. It was
Vernon College. He and Borroto recently
so different. The Cubans don't seem Cuban.
performed at Habana Village. a Cuban
There's a lot of fighting. There's fighting
restaurant in Adams-Morgan. The owner,
with those who come from Cuba and with
Eduardo Varada, grew up in Jimenez's
everything that happens in Cube-fighting,
Havana neighborhood and had seen him on
fighting, fighting, all the time. I can't live
Cuban television.
like that."
A few weekends ago over dinner, Jime-
He and his wife got by. She did "this and
nez and Natalia Rodriguez agreed to pro-
that." He "worked in different places" that
duce A second album of popular songs on
mostly did not pay. He sang on television
the Elan label. He's happy about it. He still
programs for free to get exposure. He was
has a way with those songh-he shakes
paid for club shows with checks on ao-
tears out of the ballads-and there's always
counts that were empty. He worked in a
the chance that the album will lead to
shoe store.
something else. He's always dreamed of
If nothing was happening in Miami,
Broadway.
nothing might M well be happening in
He security at case. Occasionally when he
Washington, especially when his wife got 1
talks of Injustice, he betrays himself: His
job at the Belgian Embassy. They moved
eyes go fierce and his voice snaps, but It
almost a decade ago. Then something
passes. He-possesses something-a gift-
happened.
that got him through it all-in a sense, it's
what started it, too.
"I am a singer until die," he says simply.
Natalia Rodriguez, owner and founder of
"I can't help It. That's why 1 exist. Because
Elan records, a classical music label in
If I think of everything that I have that I
Riverdale, about hearing Jimenez and gui-
could have better, I would be crazy now,
tarist Borroto together for the first time: "It
okay?"
just blew our mind. It gets to you It gets to
your soul You can't (orget it" About the
emotional impact: "Older generations of
In the Northwest Washington Hechinger
Cubans just cry when they hear these
he works in customer service. He shows
songs. They have a stomach knot of nostal-
people around the store. Sometimes he's a
gla."
greeter. Sometimes he helps customers
carry purchases to their card. Sometimes he
halls cabe. Those sorts of things.
The album's birth was a connect-the-dots
He's the language expert. In addition to
of Washington's small, fragmented Cuban
Spanish and English, he's fluent in French
community: Jimenez came in contact with
and muddles about in Portuguese and
Borroto through mutual friends. Borroto's
Italian Useful skills in Washington
husband. Ruben Pelaes, studied classical
Just ad: all the Lathios know-in case
plano with Cuban-born Santiago Rodriguez
they doo't hear him singing-he wears 8.
at the University of Maryland. Rodriguez's
button, smack on his chest. It reads, Hablo
wife, Natalia, heads Elan, which was intery
Espanol.
ested in producings aeries on Cuban music.
To hear 0 free Sound Bite from the
"Alma Cubana: A. Collection of Popular
album, call Post-Haste at 202-334-9000
Cuban Songs" is immaculately recorded-
and press 8169.
The Washington Post
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1998
MON 05 FAX
013
Florida Tries to Keep Down Flow of Immigrants
By Working to Improve Quality of Life in Islands
By MARIORIE VALORUN
Washing ashore." he says.
Issues affecting coastal cities.
stalf Reporter of THE WALL JOURNAL
Illegal migration into Florida has de-
Not everyone believes the state can
MIAMI-State ufficials. eager to shed
clined sharply since peaking In 1994. when
have real impact. "I think in Haiti's case.
the Image of Florida 0% n refugee state. are
WHIVER of migrants from Cuba and Hain in
it's been of limited success, because the
trying a new way to restruin the flow of 11-
Doats and rafts (orced changes In U.S. poll-
problems there are so overwhelming, and
legal Immigrants: by providing a Sunshine
cles with those nations. State efforts now
ultimately the state of Florida can't do
State version of foreign ald.
aim to help prevent a renewed influx. De-
much about those problems," according to
Through overseas trade and develop-
mocratic Gov. Lawton Chiles is widely
Terry McCoy. a professor at the University
ment programs. the state Is seeking to pro-
credited with establishing the outreach Int-
of Florida's Center for Latin American
mote political and
tiatives two years ago. Florida it spending
Studies.
economic stability
about $533,000 this year on efforts through-
But Haltian President Rene Preval
In some Carlbbean
out the Caribbean and Central America.
says, through a spokeswoman. that the
countries where Ille-
Haiti programs get $100,000 of that
Florida initiatives "play an Important role
gal
Immigrants
amount. plus $67,000 from funds Florida re-
in our common Interest to Improve the
have come from.
celved from the federal government.
quality of life In Haitl." Haltians want to
There is another
Florida has focused the projects on
work and feed their families, adds the
goal as well: to help
Haiti partly because 92,874 refugees have
spokeswoman. Michelle Karshan. "And
keep the potential
attempted to get to Florida from Haiti since
when they feel there IS no opportunity to do
immigrants at home
1982, more than from any other Island ex-
so. they seek other ways, and that is pri-
and out of Florida.
cept Cuba. In addition. Haiti's political
marily by leaving."
The main em-
leaders are receptive to the assistance.
Florida officials say the outreach pro-
phasis Is In Haitl,
'We Can Make a Difference'
jects are just one part of measures adopted
where Florida-spon-
sored projects range
"The governor does not believe we can
to control Immigration. A major effort is
Mark Schlakman
from cancer-preven-
fix Halti," says Mark Schlakman. special
the "Florida Immigration Initiative." a
tion and treatment programs to clean well-
counsel to Mr. Chiles. "However. he does
joint state and federal project begun in
believe we can make & difference."
1994 after complaints by Florida lawinak-
water projects and disaster-preparedness
Mr. Schlakman has become the state's
ers that Washington wasn't doing enough
training. Projects elsewhere Include: bee-
keeping in Dominica, St. Lucia and
point man on Hait) policy. He has traveled
to help curb Illegal Immigration or help Day
Grenada; pig farming In Belize: black-
to the Island more than 20 times since 1995
for the costs. Those complaints went
smith work In Barbados: organic farming
10 meet with government officials. private
nowhere until the summer of 1994. when an
in Antigua: crop pest management In St.
voluntary organizations and the muny en-
Vincent and Guyana: and youth camps in
gineers. doctors and technicians who make
Stemming the Tide
Honduras.
up the U.S. military presence there. He has
"To be honest. 1 think a lot of these pro-
also been to Trinidad. Jamaica. Barbados
Rescues of Illegal migrants In Florida:
grams are more symbollc than substan-
and the Dominican Republic.
tive." says Frank Sharry. director of the
While there are many International de-
CUBANS
HAITIANS
DOMINICANS
National Immigration Forum. an immigia-
velopment projects and assistance pro-
1990
467
1,131
1,694
tion policy and advocacy organization in
grams in Haiti, Mr. Schlakman says, those
Washington. "But what It symbolizes. In
projects tend 10 be large-scale and overlook
1991
2,203
9,941
1,455
effect. Is that Florida has the making of its
smaller. much-needed projects. That's
1892
2.557
31.401
435
own foreign policy and its own Immigra-
where Florida coines in. by providing the
1993
3.656
2,329
570
lion policy, even though they are clearly
technical assistance, training support and
set by the federal government."
private funding for smaller projects.
1994
37,139
24,917
905
Avoiding California's Fate
"The whole frame of this is two-
1995
628
1,969
4,175
pronged." Mr. Schlakman says. "One IS
Florida's "preventive diplomacy." as
1956
403
700
4,676
the good-neighbor approach, where
state officials call it, Is part of broader Im-
Florida is a Caribbean state and our neigh-
1997
408
587
523
migration-control policies adopted in re-
hors are these Island nations. Our goal Is to
1998*
476
248
357
cent years to head off the kind of divisive-
Improve. even If incrementally. the living
ness that illegal immigration has stirred In
"As of July 1998
conditions for the people of Halti. to reduce
California. Proponents of tighter controls
Source. U.S Coast CUPID
the push factors that tend to drive people to
in Florida were pressing for a measure
the boats literally. The other is to do what
Influx of 32,000 Cuban rafters, or balserns.
similar to California's Proposition 187.
la in the best Interest of the state of Florida
started coming ashore in Key West. ut u
which denies health and education benefits
to protect against a future migration out-
rate of 1,000 a day. The state sued the fed-
to Illegal Immigrants. Polls initially
flow."
eral government, arguing it failed to adc-
showed support for such a measure, but
Democracy Building
quately enforce Immigration Inw.
backers couldn't gather enough signatures
The Florida-Halti Initiative seeks to for
Although the lawsult was unsuccessful,
to put an initiative on the ballot In 1995.
ter stronger business and economic ties
the Justice Department released $18 mil-
Public support (ell as the state began Its
with the Island. and provide training and
lion to the state from an Immigration-
highly publicized Immigration-control ef-
support to government officials in democ-
emergency fund. Later, It also agreed to
forts. Dario Moreno. professor of political
rucy building. Among other things. II uses
take other steps to support enforcement ef-
science at Florida International Univer-
a mini-volunteer corps modeled on the
forts that are now part of the Florida Immi-
sity. contents support fell only because the
Peace Corps. Lost March. 13 Florida may-
gration Initiative. Among other things.
numbers of refugees had dropped off-not
ors. government workers and private bust-
prosecutions of illegal "re-entries" (allens
because of anything the state has done. 1
nesspeople went to Haltl to share manage-
who were deported but came back) are now
think Immigration in Florida only becomes
nat skills with 133 Huitian municipal offi-
handled by federal prosecutors. and fed-
on Issue when there's A feeling that it's out
cinls. In May. three Hairian mayors COMM
erni immigration officials share data with
of control and that people are Interally
to Key West III learn about environmental
Florida law enforcement agencies.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
MONDAY. JULY 27, 1998
JUN 20:01 FAX
049
Cuban envoy to U.S. sees
opportunity with Rangel
Remirer's style to engage in anti-
By George Gedda
American pelemics.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In the interview, he said Cuban
Fidel Castro's emissary in Wash
authorities have known for years
ington doesn't get invited to official
about Luis Posada Carriles, the
functions and usually finds Little to
Cuban axile quoted by the Times
be cheerful about.
as saying he waged a campaign of
But now. a seeming crack has
bombings and assassination at-
developed in the substantial and-
tempts aimed at toppling the Cu-
Cuban edifice maintained by suc-
ban regime. Specifically, Mr. Po-
cessive U.S. administrations. Rep.
sada claimed responsibility for
Charles B. Rangel, New York
bombings last year at Cuban ho-
Democrat, wants an investigation
tels, restaurants and discotheques.
into whether U.S. laws have been
Mr. Posada has since denied
violated in terrorist acts against
having told the Times that the
Cuba
foundation financed his activities,
An I-told-you-so quality per-
describing himself as an "indepen-
vades envoy Fernando Remirez's
dent man" who did not represent
comments as he discusses allega-
CANF. He is reported to be at an
tions that the influential Cuban-
undisclosed location in the Carib-
American National Foundation
bean and could not be reached for
has been financing such activities.
comment on Mr. Remirez's re-
Sabotage directed from the
marks.
United States against Cuba has
Mr. Rangel, an outspoken critic
been going on for nearly 40 years,
of the U.S. embargo against Cuba,
Mr. Remirez said in an interview
has asked Attorney General Janct
He wonders why anyone would be
Rano to follow up on the Times ar-
surprised by reports in the New
ticles and investigate whether vio-
York Times this month that the
lation of U.S. laws occurred with
foundation. has been sponsoring
the bombings in Havana last year.
anti-Castro terrorism.
He also has asked the Internal
"It's been very clear that CANF
Revenue Service to investigate
has been linked to and participated
CANF, based on Mr. Posada's com-
in terrorist activities," he said.
ments, to determine whether its
The anti-Castro camp in South
activities are consistent with the
Florida protested the Times series
foundation's tax-exempt status.
vigorously, reflecting passions that
Foundation Chairman Alberto
the Cuban issue can generate. The
Hernandez called the allegations
Cuban-American National Foun-
in the Times "outrageous and ma-
dation insists it seeks change in
licious" and threatened legal ac-
Cuba only through peaceful
tion against the Times to obtain a
means.
retraction. Apprised of Mr.
In Cuba, the newspaper series
Remirez's remarks about the foun-
was seen almost as a godsend for
dation, CANF spokesman Jose
Mr. Castro's government, which
Cardenas sald it was the "height of
had lengthy excerpts published in
irony" for a country on the State
the Communist Party's newspaper.
Department's list of terrorist na.
As Mr. Remirez knows, it is not
tions to accuse anyone of instigat-
easy to be Mr. Castro's envoy in a
ing violence.
city where the Cuban president's
The Times had no comment on
revolution has so few admirers.
Mr. Remirez's remarks. After
Mr. Remirez has only midlevel
CANF's threat of legal action, the
access at the State Department
newspaper expressed its "com-
Since arriving in Washington in
plete support and confidence" in
1995, he has spent much of his time
the series and said the articles
searching for ways to counter anti-
were based on more than 100
Castro sentiment in Washington
sources, including 13 hours of in-
But despito pervasive hostility to-
terviews and conversations with
ward his country, it is not Mr.
Mr. Posada.
The Washington Times
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1998
033
SUN 19:54 FAX
Colombian traffickers
CUBA
use its airspace to evade
From page AI
U.S. Interdiction.
she said yesterday.
By Tom Carter
"It is difficult to prove [Castro's]
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
direct participation. but common
sense says that nothing enters or
Colombian drug traffickers are
leaves Cuba without the approval
Drug flights over Cuba increase
increasingly flying their
of the dictator himself.
He's in
contraband-laden aircraft across
cahoots with the drug truffickers,"
castern Cuba in a bld to avoid de-
she said.
tection and interdiction by the
Cuba says the charges are outra-
United States, drug enforcement
geous, pointing to U.S.-Cuban CO-
officials say.
operation in the 1996 seizure of 6.2
Maps produced by the Joint In-
tons of cocaine on the merchant
taragency Task Force East show
vessel Limerick. In that case,
that during the past six months of
using U.S. intelligence, the Cuban
1997, half of the airplanes flying
government made the seizure.
"Wo are against any use of our
drugs out of Colombia flow across
territory or airspace for this type
eastern Cuba, dropping their car-
of activity," said Luis Fernandez,
goes in coastal waters to be picked
spokesman for the Cuban Interests
up by waiting speedboats.
Section in Washington Wednesday.
The task force, based in Key
"Maybe it is possible that some can
West, Fla., is made up of officers
pass through, but it is not allowed."
from the U.S. Customs Service,
Blaming the U.S. economic em-
Coast Guard. Drug Enforcement
bargo on Cuba, he said: "We have
Administration and Pentagon
a problem with our resources and
Cuba says it is doing everything
cannot always detect these things."
possible to stop the flights, but crit-
Mr. Fernandez said be did not
ics charge that the traffic has Pres-
know whether Cuban authorities
ident Fidel Castro's tacit, If not di-
had arrested any traffickers in
rect, approval.
Cuba in 1997 or 1998 but noted that
"It is ironic that the Cuban mili-
the 1998 State Department report
tary can scramble MiGs to shoot
on drugs "recognized our efforts
down American civilian aircraft
against drug trafficking."
but cannot scramble its MiGs to
Data prepared by the inter-
defend its airspace from narcot-
agency task force shows that in
early 1997. the drug traffickers
generally flow up the Caribbean
ics." said Rep. Robert Menendez,
and Pacific coasts of Central
New Jersey Democrat.
America before dropping off their
"I think the Castro government
cargoes. But in late 1997, the flight
receives money for permitting the
path changed.
overflights and the use of its terri-
Out of 39 "detects" in which U.S.
torial waters." he added
agencies identified drug planes
He was referring to the downing
flying out of South America, 16
of two aircraft flown by Cuban-
flew directly over Cuban land.
Americans over the Florida Strait
Four more went over water but in-
in February 1996.
side Cuban airspace.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Flor-
The agency did not provide in-
ida Republican and vehement Cas-
formation on drug "detects" for
tro critic, agreed.
this year.
"Castro is a willing participant
According to enforcement agen-
in allowing Cuba to be used as a
cies, the planes fly through Cuban
drug transshipment point as a way
airspace and drop the drugs in Cu-
to evade U.S. Law enforcement,"
ban waters along the north shore,
where "go-fast" boats retrieve the
see CUBA, page A7
drugs and speed them to U.S.
shores.
"In the second quarter, the deal-
ers began testing the route
[through Cubal. They found it
worked, and by the last quarter [of
1997], it looks like a highway flying
The Washington Times
1/2
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1998
034
3
SUN 19:55 FAX
CRUISING CUBA
Aircraft carrying Colombian drugs are using Cuban airspace to avoid
detection before dropping their cargoes to waiting speedboats off the
Island's northern coast. of 39 drug flights detected by U.S. authorities
In the second half of 1997, 20 sought cover in Cuban airspace.
USA
200
200
20
MEXICO
5
C
6
2
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
The Washington Times
out of the Guajirs Peninsula," said
tration for the tepid official
a congressional staffer involved in
descriptions. He accused the ad-
drug legislation.
ministration in a 1997 letter to CLA
The lack of relations between
Director George Tenet of "active
the United States and Cuba, coup-
ignorance of this threat" and "sys-
led with an economic pinch that
tematically" failing to recognize
makes it hard for Cuba to police its
the problem so as not to "antago-
own territory, apparently has
nize the Cuban dictatorship."
helped make Cuba a haven for
drug smugglers.
"Overwhelming evidence points
The DEA acknowledged that
to ongoing involvement of the Cas-
Cuba has become a concern.
tro dictatorship in narcotra(lick-
"Cuba's role in the cocaine trade
ing." he wrote to U.S. drug policy
as a transshipment point is not as
director Barry McCaffrey in 1996.
significant as many other island
Wayne Smith, the former chief
countries in the Carlbbean," said a
of the U.S. Interests Section in Ha-
DEA official in Washington Tues-
vana during the Cartor adminis-
day on the condition of anonymity.
tration and senior fellow for the
'It is Cuba's potential as a CO-
Cuba Project at the Center for In-
caine and heroin transshipment
ternational Policy, said Wednesday
country, rather than its current
that increased drug flights over
status, that is most relevant
Cuba are "no surprise."
South American drug traffickers
do, however, exploit Cuban air-
"This information only proves
space and territorial waters in or-
there needs to be cooperation be-
tween the United States and Cuba
der to avoid interdiction by U.S.
and Caribbaan law enforcement
on drug interdiction," he said.
assets."
Mrs. Ros-Lahtinen said cooper-
The CLA's 1997 World Factbook
ating with the Cuban government
describes CuLa as a "lesser
is naive.
transshipment point for cocaine
"We should not work with the
bound for the U.S."
Cuban military in fighting drugs
And-Castro lawmaker Rep. Lin-
because the Cuban military is in-
coin Diaz-Balart, Florida Republi-
volved," she said. "Castro and the
can, blames the Clinton adminis-
military are part of the problem."
The Washington Times
2/2
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1998
SUN 06:42 FAX
058
Invigorated Foreign Policy Bespeaks Cuba's Global Agenda (Havana) By
Mark Fineman= (c) 1998, Los Angeles Times=
HAVANA Cuban President Fidel Castro wore his trademark military fatigues and Congolese
President Laurent Kabila sported a tropical shirt decorated with pictures of bank notes as the
African leader ended a three-day visit here Saturday that underscored Cuba's expanding relations
with former friends and new allies.
Kabila left Havana with a group of Cuban physicians, who work under government contract in
many foreign countries, and an array of new agreements for technical cooperation in agriculture,
tourism and other fields.
Kabila's visit came 33 years after Castro sent two columns of Cuban guerrillas, one of them led
by Emesto (Che) Guevara, to aid Kabila's insurgency in the Congo. That rebellion ended in bitter
failure, and Guevara later sharply criticized Kabila for lack of leadership skills and poor discipline
among his forces.
Last year, Kabila finally triumphed, taking power in what was then Zaire after an eight-month
rebellion that overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko. Relations since then gradually have warmed between
Cuba and Congo.
Castro's renewed friendship with Kabila is among the more notable of Cuba's foreign policy
moves in the six months since Pope John Paul II's visit here, when the pontiff called on Cuba to
open to the world and the world to open to Cuba.
More global outreach is in store in the weeks ahead.
Castro is scheduled to leave this week to tour the Caribbean nations of Jamaica, Barbados and
Grenada. He also plans an eight-day visit to the Dominican Republic in late August that will
include a summit of Caribbean leaders.
It will be the Cuban leader's first official visit to the Dominican Republic since his revolution
overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. That revolution led to a punishing U.S. trade
embargo of Cuba and a now-flagging U.S. policy to isolate the island.
Castro's tour is part of an emerging, post-Cold War alliance in the Caribbean that rejects U.S.
government policy toward Cuba. In recent months, the Dominican Republic renewed full
diplomatic relations with Havana, several other Caribbean nations signed cooperation agreements
with the Castro government, and several neighboring prime ministers visited the island.
Castro's two-day visit to Grenada will carry at least as much historical resonance as Kabila's
visit here, and has triggered debate among Grenada's politicians and analysts.
U.S. forces invaded Grenada in 1983 after the island nation's socialist president, Maurice
Bishop, formed a strong alliance with Castro. Grenadian critics of the upcoming Castro visit have
called it an insult to the 18 U.S. soldiers who died in three days of fighting.
Officially, the administration of President Reagan said it sent in U.S. troops to protect American
medical students on the island. But the invasion, in which about two dozen Cubans also were
killed, effectively drove Grenada out of Havana's sphere of influence.
One former critic of Castro's regime, Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, says times have
changed.
In announcing the state visit that will include Castro's address at a rally and a personal call on
Bishop's mother, Mitchell said: "This is a new era in terms of the developing global village. For
us in the Caribbean, Cuba has a tremendous role to play in the development of the region."
07/26/98 SUN 06:29 FAX
4
052
assessment" that is, checking out threats that have been made against any of the leaders.
National Nursing Home Care to Come Under Senate Review (Washn)By
Robert A. Rosenblatt and Julie Marquis= (c) 1998, Los Angeles Times-
WASHINGTON The halls reek of urine. Old people lie helpless in their beds hour after hour,
solled diapers unchanged.
These were the smells and sights at a nursing home in Huntington Beach, Calif., visited by
federal government investigators last year as part of an intensive nine-month probe that is likely to
touch off the biggest national nursing home controversy in years.
After reviewing inspection reports from all 1,370 California nursing homes, the General
Accounting Office came to the conclusion that nearly one in three of the facilities is plagued by
"serious or potentially life-threatening problems" for the residents.
Malnutrition, dehydration, urinary tract infections and bed sores that become gaping infected
wounds are among the ailments suffered by residents of nursing homes. Most of them are
impoverished, elderly patients typically women over the age of 80
who are too ill mentally or physically to care for themselves.
"We're not talking high-tech treatments here, we're talking about basic care you would give
your dog," said one investigator.
The searing details in the GAO report derided by many in the nursing home industry as political
scapegoating will be discussed Monday as the Senate Special Committee on Aging opens
hearings on the enforcement of federal rules that mandate high quality care in nursing homes. A
copy of the report was obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
The Clinton administration recently claimed that only I percent of the nation's nursing homes
were "poor performers," with serious health and safety flaws threatening their patients. The White
House vowed to improve enforcement.
But one committee staffer, reviewing the GAO report, said that if California, which has a
reputation as a tough enforcement state, has such widespread problems, then "it is hard to believe
that things are better elsewhere."
California was picked for the GAO probe because of allegations, delivered last year to the
Senate Aging Committee chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that patients were dying of
neglect. Astonished by the GAO report, Grassley is now thinking about expanding the probe into
a nationwide inquiry.
"The GAO report is shocking," said Grassley. "Enforcement is lax: Neglect a nursing home
resident, get a slap on the hand. That's our system."
But in the meantime, the nursing home industry challenged the GAO report, arguing that it is
geared toward cheap headlines instead of systematic problems. "We have very serious
reservations about the accuracy, the completeness and the methodology used in the (GAO)
analysis," said Gary Macomber, executive vice president of the California Association of Health
Facilities, which represents about 1,500 long-term care facilities.
Macomber, responding to a draft of the GAO report, said GAO researchers had grossly inflated
estimates of homes with serious problems, creating "new categories" of danger such as brooms
leaning against the wall and failing to thoroughly review medical records. "It was a pretty poorly
done piece of work," he said.
The federal government, which spent $32 billion in 1995 in Medicare and Medicaid payments to
26/98 SUN 06 31 FAI
053
help pay bills of people in nursing homes, is supposed to ensure patients' proper care and
treatment. But despite additional millions of dollars funneled to states to pay for nursing home
inspections, the federal enforcement system may simply be failing in its basic mission to "protect
residents against harm and neglect," said the committee's ranking Democrat, Sen. John Breaux of
Louisiana.
Critics wonder: If the nursing homes have difficulty providing clean and effective care now,
when they have 1.6 million residents in 17,000 homes nationwide, what happens when the
baby-boomers flood the facilities? The nursing home population nationwide is expected to
explode to 4 million residents by the year 2030, as masses of boomers, slowed by physical and
mental ailments, will need nursing care.
Also at issue is the accuracy of states in reporting violations
and the responsiveness of the federal government in addressing them.
Charlene Harrington, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco who studies
nursing homes and will testify in the Senate, found in a study that California inspectors are
tougher on nursing homes than their counterparts elsewhere. In 1996, for example, California
gave a perfect score to just 4 percent of nursing homes, while New York reported that nearly a
third of its nursing homes were flawless during inspections. The 400 inspectors in California must
follow a federal rulebook. But the final enforcement responsibility to levy fines or refuse to admit
new patients or take away government funding is up to the federal government.
And the GAO found that when the state inspectors found problems, the federal government
'generally took a lenient stance toward many of these homes." The agency was careful to note
that "although our report focuses on nursing homes in California, the problems we identified are
indicative of systemic survey and enforcement weaknesses."
Grassley called for the GAO investigation last fall after a Palo Alto, Calif., lawyer claimed that
nearly 22,000 nursing home patients in California may have died from preventable conditions such
as malnutrition and infections between 1986 and 1993. Attorney Von Packard and his colleagues,
who specialize in class action and government fraud lawsuits, based their findings on a review of
data from 300,000 death certificates.
Without autopsy information about residents who had died, the GAO said, "We cannot be
conclusive" about whether "unacceptable care may have contributed directly to individual deaths."
Some Alzheimers' patients, for instance, lose ability to swallow, making it difficult to fault a
nursing home for a death certificate finding of malnutrition.
The GAO report is based in part on independent inspections of two nursing homes, observation
of a state inspection at a third home and review of inspection and medical reports from 15 other
facilities. The agency hired Dr. Andrew Kramer's team of the University of Colorado Center on
Aging to conduct the two on-site inspections in California, accompanying state inspectors on
visits.
At one facility, state inspectors ``missed numerous major quality of care problems, very severe
problems pressure sores, nutrition," Kramer said.He refused to name the nursing home, but state
officials identified it as Huntington Valley Nursing Center in Huntington Beach.
Shot to the Galaxies Beats Burial on the Lone Prairie (Long Beach) By
Anne-Marie O'Connor (c) 1998, Los Angeles Times=
LONG BEACH, Calif. Some might say that sending '60s pop icon Timothy Leary to outer
12/29/97
19:04
202 456 9130
NSC-INTERAMERICA
Cuba
5
001
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
FAX COVER SHEET
NATIONAL
From: Jeff De Laurentis -- x69137
SECURITY
To: Marjorie Tarmey
COUNCIL
Agency: Public Liaison
Fax Number: 62983
Date/Time: December 29, 1997 6:00 p.m.
17th & Penn, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
No. of pages to follow: 4
20504
Message: Response to letter from Cuban-American
Ramon Sanchez of the Movimiento Democracia for
Did you get a complete,
OPL clearance. Letter was passed to POTUS party
clear transmission? If not,
please call:
(Craig Smith) in Miami a couple of weeks ago.
Regards and thanks.
(202) 456-9137
003
DRAFT
December 30, 1997
Mr. Ramon Saul Sanchez
Delegate, Democracy Movement
8150 SW 8th Street
Suite 217
Miami, FL 33141
Dear Mr. Sanchez:
I have been asked to respond on behalf of President Clinton, to
your letter of December 11. In it you make a thoughtful and
compelling case for the promotion of non-violent political
change to democracy in Cuba. Let me assure you that the
President and his Administration support that objective and want
to work with you and others in the Cuban, and Cuban-American
communities to bring it about.
At the same time, the Administration also has a responsibility
to enforce U.S. laws, and to take prudent steps to avoid
incidents which could involve the unnecessary loss of life, or
lead to violent confrontation between the United States and
Cuba. We appreciate your acknowledgement that this is our
motivation, even though you do not agree with the measures taken
by the Administration to this end are necessary.
In that vein, you wrote regarding the return of your vessel, the
"Democracia." As you know, the U.S. Attorney's office in Miami
is handling this matter. Since appropriate legal proceedings
have been initiated, it would be inappropriate for me to comment
further at this time.
Please be assured that the President shares your commitment to
democracy in Cuba. All of those in the Administration who are
working on this issue share your frustration. We remain
confident, however, that democracy will come to Cuba, as it has
every other nation in this Hemisphere and every other member of
the former Soviet block. We appreciate your commitment to non-
violent action, and urge that you pursue your objectives within
the framework of U.S. and international law.
12/29/97
19:05
202 456 9130
NSC-INTERAMERICA
002
2
Sincerely,
James F. Dobbins
Special Assistant to the President and
Senior Director for Inter-American Affairs
LABOR
COUNCIL
YOUR
SOR
CHANCE
AMERICAN
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
latim
FOR
CHANGE
08/190 STATE
Dade County/Florida Chapter
AFL-CIO
S
and
August 19, 1997
President
Pepe Collado
UBC
Mr. John Sweeney
President
Vice President
Martin Urra
AFL-CIO
IAM
815 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Secretary-Treasurer
Washington, D.C. 20006
Please Clais Koren Mily 9-32-97
Yvonne Perez
L'TD AFT
Dear Sir and Brother:
Recording Secretary
Terry Corrieri
UFCW
Pursuant to our meeting during the AFL-CIO Organizing Conference in Miami, we are following your
Public Relations
instructions that we get in touch with you with any concerns regarding the AFL-CIO position on the
Anita Cofino
Cuba issue. We want to make you aware of the possibility that a number of resolutions may be
UNITE
presented to the AFL-CIO proposing it change its current policy towards Cuba with regards to the U.S.
embargo. Such efforts are mostly driven by ignorance of the facts and/or misguided intentions. It should
Executive Board
prove easy for the AFL-CIO to prevent such policy reversal since the core issues that led labor to
Jose Briz
support the Cuban embargo have not changed:
AFSCME
Cristina Collado
Free and independent labor unions are still not allowed to participate in the workplace.
UBC
Labor leaders are still harassed and imprisoned at will by the Cuban dictatorship.
Francisco Ferrer
Mailhandlers
Workers are still promoted and paid according to a system tied to support for the Communist Party
and government programs such as "voluntary" week-end or after-shift work.
Haydee Ferrer
APWU
The only "labor" organization allowed to participate in the workplace, The Cuban Workers'
Central (CTC), is controlled by the Cuban government. Its leadership is selected only when
Gus Figueroa
UBC
approved by the government and remains an accomplice to the repression and exploitation of
workers.
Elvie Franqui
UNITE
At the ILO, the CTC leadership openly admits to having to check with the government before
Eduardo Gonzalez
taking positions or responding to matters brought before the body.
UNITE
Ricardo Gonzalez
The strategy of supporting the Cuban embargo was adopted by the AFL-CIO Executive Council with
IBT
the full support of the federation's Labor Committee for a Free Cuba. This course of action was
Guillermo Grenier
recommended by the committee as a result of a lack of basic human rights in Cuba, such as freedom of
AFT
association, the right to organize and bargain collectively, and other democratic freedoms - the exact
Wilfredo Perez
same arguments that led U.S. unions to fight so hard in the anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa.
CWA
Jesse Rivera
It is easy to prove the similarities between the successful embargo of South Africa and that of Cuba
TWU
today. Many said that the South Africa commercial embargo was doomed to failure and that it was
Lidia Rodriguez
"only hurting the people we are trying to help." Mr. Mandela suffered 27 years in prison until the
UTD AFT
boycott started to work. The AFL-CIO was successful in its campaign for the release from prison of
Juan Travieso
Ernesto Diaz Rodriguez and Mario Chanes De Armas (held for 23 and 30 years, respectively). We did
AFGE
not end that embargo with Mr. Mandela's release and, similarly, we should not do so with Cuba until
Raquel Viamonte
there is true progress in both the labor and democratic processes.
UTD AFT
Of closer concern to organized labor is the effect that removing such support would have within our
National
Executive Board
South Florida membership. Our union membership is fully aware of the circumstances prevalent in
Anita Cofino
Cuba. Any change in policy without a change in circumstance would lead to a negative attitude towards
organized labor with immediate and sizable drops in membership.
Pepe Collado
Yvonne Perez
This is a very emotional issue with most people in the Florida community (not just Cuban-American
members) since they are well informed regarding Castro's atrocities and would react strongly to any
changes in our labor federation's policy. As you know, Florida is a right-to-work (for less) state and
emotions drive organizing efforts. Any change in policy would negatively impact our Cuban-American
2929 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33129
Telephone (305) 854-0220
Fax (305) 856-2285
union membership and would be successfully used by anti-union companies, union busting attorneys
and media to destroy labor's organizing and legislative efforts in Florida.
The AFL-CIO strongly condemned the downing of two civilian aircraft by Cuban MIG-29's in
international waters. This action was a blatant violation of international law. The downing of the planes
occurred within a week of a new wave of repression by the Cuban dictatorship against human rights and
worker rights activists in Cuba. This took place a few days after a high-level international labor
delegation visited Cuba. The AFL-CIO successfully urged President Clinton to take appropriate action
in response to the crisis and voiced the indignation of the American people towards the violation of
international law.
We are requesting your assistance and urge you that you take a strong leadership position on this issue
in support of the current AFL-CIO's Cuba policy. Please continue this very appropriate stand on the
matter by not allowing the weakening of the embargo against communist Cuba until that country adopts
a democratic form of government AND a free and democratic collective bargaining system.
Fraternally,
The LCLAA Dade County/Florida Chapter's Officers:
José (Pape) Collado
Pepe Collado
Marty Urra Urra
Marty
President
Vice President
UBC Fourth District Board Member
IAM Lodge 368
Yourse Secretary-Treasurer vonne Perez Bug Terry Recording Corrieri-Gasson Secretary Anita Executive Cofiño Director
UTD/AFT Local 1974
UFCW Local 162
UNITE Local 694
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Christine Collado Francises Fever
José Briz
Christine Collado
Francisco Ferrer
AFSCME Local 1097
UBC Local 1554
Hapie Haydee Ferrer
Rob Blase Mailhandlers Local 318
Gus
Figueroa
Roberto Blanco
APWU Local 172
UBC Local 1157
BAC Local 1
QBJanzal Eduardo Gonzalez.
Guillermo Glorie Grenier
Ricardo Conzalez
UNITE Local/415/475
IBT Local 390
Wilfredo Perez
Jesse Rivera
Liden Lídia Director F. Rodriguez CLAS Joysah
CWA Local 3107
TWU Local 570
UTD/AFT Local 1974
Juis Juan Travieso havest Raquel Raquel Viamonte Viemonte Tony Dorado ar
UTD/AFT Local 1974
CWA Local 3107
Stahe forge AFGE Santiesteban Local 2014 back Gerardo Becerra
HERE Local 355
ILA Local 1922
AFL-CIO RESOLUTION ON CUBA -
WHEREAS, a growing number of multinational corporations are taking advantage of
low wages, substandard working conditions, and government repression of independent trade
unions in Cuba, and
WHEREAS, they are working in partnership with the Cuban government and military
agencies under rules that increase government control of the work force, and
WHEREAS, instead of paying wages directly to workers, such joint ventures supply
foreign exchange to a Cuban government labor agency which, in turn, pays workers at a
highly disadvantageous official rate of exchange, and
WHEREAS, according to the report of a February, 1996 CFTU mission to Cuba, the
government-controlled trade union confederation, the Cuban Workers' Central (CTC), is ill-
equipped to confront this invasion of multinational capital, and
WHEREAS, instead of promoting workers' interests and defending good labor
conditions, most of the CTC's activities "are aimed at ensuring labor discipline and at
encouraging workers to meet production quotas established by management," and
WHEREAS, Cuban workers who try to form free trade unions continue to be
repressed and members of worker organizations like the USTC and UGTC, along with human
rights activists in organizations like the Concilio Cubano and independent journalist groups in
the Cuban press are routinely arrested, interrogated, and jailed by authorities or harassed and
often physically attacked by the ruling party's rapid action brigades, and
WHEREAS, despite these flagrant violations of worker rights, a growing number of
business organizations are calling for a relaxation of the U.S. economic embargo, and
WHEREAS, such calls are often justified on the grounds that outside investment and
trade will eventually lead to democracy in Cuba, but are really intended to allow U.S. firms
access to cheap labor in a union-free environment only ninety miles from the U.S. border, and
WHEREAS, it is neither the status quo nor economic reform and assurances
regarding private property which should trigger a positive response from the United States but
real movement toward democracy and respect for human rights and trade union rights,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that to meet these challenges, the AFL-CIO
will cooperate with the ICFTU and its efforts to persuade multinational corporations investing
in Cuba to adopt and implement codes of conduct which improve working conditions for
Cuban workers and provide an opening for independent worker actions leading to freedom of
association, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO continue to assist Cuban workers
seeking to form independent trade unions and to protest against violations of their rights in the
appropriate international forums, and
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO will support a relaxation or
lifting of the United States economic embargo of Cuba, only in response to significant
progress by the Cuban government in safeguarding workers' rights by embodying the core
conventions of the International Labor Organization, including freedom of association, the
right to organize and bargain collectively and movement toward free and fair elections,
democratic government, and the rule of law.
Respectfully submitted by,
South Florida AFL-CIO
THE WHITE HOUSE
From: Bob J. Nash
Assistant to the President and Director,
Date: 1/15/98
Office of Presidential Personnel
To Maria Echaveste
For your signature
Rewrite-text
Please Return call
Prepare reply for
Rewrite-not enough
As you requested
My Signature
information
For President's signature
For your action
For your information
Reply directly-copy to me
For your approval
Please file
Please locate resume
For your comments
Set up meeting on this
Call me on this
To West Wing, ASAP
For Resumix
Acknowledge Referral
Remarks:
Attached is the memo on Cuba
Broadca sting that we (Pers comfortable onnel),
+ Graig Smith feel too.
with NSC I hope it is OK with you
call me asap if you Thanks. have
any Please concerns at 65251.
Action Date:
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
002. memo
Bab Nash to President Clinton re: Advisory Board for Cuba
01/08/1998
b(6)
Broadcasting (Non-Selection) (3 pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Public Liaison
Maria Echaveste
OA/Box Number: 14164
FOLDER TITLE:
Cuba [Folder 2] [1]
2016-0920-F
jm 1888
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
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RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Wish You
Before Americans can sign deals,
however, Congress must lift the em-
bargo. And that is unlikely to happen
as long as Mr. Castro remains in
Were Here
power. "Castro has to leave, vertical-
ly or horizontally," said Marc Thies-
sen, press spokesman for Senator
Jesse Helms, the North Carolina Re-
publican who is chairman of the For-
Marxist Cuba Beckons,
eign Relations Committee. Even so,
he suggested, Mr. Castro's departure
may not be so far off. "We're SO
And U.S. Capitalists
close," Mr. Thiessen suggested.
"Castro's revolution is dead."
Cabe
Champ at the Bit
Still, with the prospect of the bars
coming down to the hemisphere's
last forbidden market, an island of 11
million people just 90 miles south of
By JIM CARRIER
the Florida coast, American busi-
ness is straining at the leash. "It's
Last month, two Caterpillar Inc. ex-
not even controversial in our mem-
ecutives had the kind of face-to-face
bership," said John Howard, director
meeting with a national leader that
of international policy for the United
salesmen dream about - except the
States Chamber of Commerce.
leader was Fidel Castro, and they
"There is a widespread and growing
weren't allowed to sell him anything.
sentiment that our policy toward
At a dinner the Cuban leader gave in
Cuba makes no sense."
Havana for several American business
For now, American business is
people, Mr. Castro asked the Caterpil-
pretty much limited to advocating a
lar managers about bulldozers. They
change in American policy, which
told him the largest Cat exceeded 1,000
has been dictated for decades by the
horsepower. His bushy eyebrows shot
mostly anti-Castro Cuban-American
up; Cuba's Russian machines are only
community, to slipping through the
100 horse and are notoriously unreli-
few fissures that Washington has al-
able. "I can't comprehend' bulldozers
lowed to develop in the ban, and to
like the ones his guests were describ-
keeping up a dialogue with Cubans.
The number of American business
ing, Mr. Castro said through an inter-
representatives traveling to Cuba -
preter.
legally, but in most cases without
At about the same time, a high-rank-
State Department sanction - has
ing Cuban diplomat traveled to the
quadrupled to a projected 2,000 this
world headquarters of the Radisson
year from 500 in 1994, according to
Hotels, a unit of the Carlson Companies,
the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic
in St. Paul. He assured Peter Blyth,
Council of New York.
Radisson's president, that three sites
Just last month, a delegation of
eyed by Radisson years ago in Havana
midlevel officers from major coΓpo-
and Varadero, a resort on the northern
rations - including the Mobil Oil
coast, were still available for hotel de-
velopment. The properties have no
Corporation, Texaco Inc., Pharma-
claims against them by foreigners
cla & Upjohn, Bristol-Myers Squibb,
forced out of the country after Mr.
Continental Grain, the Case Corpora-
tion, a unit of Tenneco, and Caterpil-
Castro took power in 1959, he added,
lar Inc. - was the official guest of
and the Cuban Government was eager
Mr. Castro and his top ministers in
The New Times
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1998
to do business with Radisson.
Havana, and a follow-up trade show
These two recent contacts between
is proposed in September, said the
capitalist America and Communist
organizer, Kirby Jones of Alamar
Cuba represent a small but growing
Associates. Another trade show for
movement by American companies to
American companies, this one for
prepare for the day when doing busi-
medical products, is planned within
ness with Cuba is not trading with the
the year by PWN Exhibicon Interna-
enemy, as most such transactions are
tional, based in Connecticut. For the
now legally defined. In spite of the 36-
most part, participants in such
year-old United States embargo that
events describe them as fact-finding
prohibits all but a narrow range of
tours, though American companies
commercial activity, and in spite of
are allowed to take such measures as
1/2
discouragement by the State Depart-
signing nonbinding letters of intent
ment, American executives are circling
with Cuban groups or registering
the island like Navy gunboats once did,
trademarks and brand names.
and, in increasing numbers, actually
Meantime, President Clinton has
landing.
widened ever so slightly some small
Cuba's needs are certainly monu-
cracks in the trade embargo. On
mental. American executives who have
March 20, he announced a measure
visited Cuba recently estimate the mar-
to expedite shipments of drug and
ket just for basic goods and services
medical equipment, which are al-
like food, medicine and road repair at
ready exempt from the ban. At the
$2 billion to $4 billion annually. Mr.
same time, he authorized the re-
Blyth of Radisson Hotels predicts
sumption of direct flights to Cuba
Americans would flood Cuba in the
and of remittances of up to $1,200 by
unlikely event that travel restrictions
Americans to relatives in Cuba, a
were eased - driving up the number of
measure that should increase sales
annual foreign visitors to 10 million
for the approximately 100 American
from the current mostly European crop
companies given special dispensa-
of 1.2 million. Under current law, Amer-
tion to trade with Cuba.
Those companies do a combined
Continued on Page 4
$100-million-a-year business in Cuba
- a drop in the bucket compared
Continued From First Business Page
with the inroads being made by some
of America's trading partners. The
Cuban Government reports that
icans are free to travel to Cuba, but
companies from 25 countries have
cannot spend a dime unless they are
committed $2 billion to 340 joint ven-
licensed by the State Department or
tures and associations with the Cu-
are the guests of officially designat-
bans, and have announced other
ed hosts, like the Cuban Government
deals worth an additional $4.5 billion.
or some foreign company.
Canada is the biggest foreign in-
"You could run brake shoes over
vestor, accounting for one-third of
for '53 Chevys and make a fortune,"
the money flowing into the country,
said Rob O'Neill, manager of the Key
followed by Italy, Mexico, Spain,
West, Fla., harbor, who often talks
France and the Netherlands. The
with associates about the money-
Sherritt International Corporation of
making opportunities that will open
Toronto is reportedly the single most
up when the embargo ends.
active foreign company, with $800
million committed. The company
have given away more than they've
produces 40 percent of Cuba's oil and
sold. Another 10 exploratory licenses
is also involved in mining, power
have been issued.
generation, cell phones, tourism and
Medical companies appear reluc,
agriculture, said Patrice Merrin
tant to jump into Cuba; Ell Lilly &
Best, senior vice president.
Company said it had no plans to
Mr. Castro, one of the world's last
apply for a license as long as the full
avowedly Marxist leaders, has made
embargo remained. Part of the rea-
son for their hesitation is the endless
a series of concessions to the capital-
paperwork that awaits them. Any
ist West since the collapse of the
pharmaceutical company wishing to
Soviet Union and the end of Mos-
exhibit products at the planned trade
cow's $3-billion-a-year subsidy to his
show by PWN Exhibicon Internation-
economy. He has liberalized agricul-
al, for example, must first get 'a'
ture, allowed tourists to spend dol-
permit from the Federal Govern
lars, and even invited the Pope for a
visit in February. In 1995, his Gov-
ment, then a separate license to sell
ernment created free trade zones
any product, be it an X-ray machine
and allowed up to 100 percent foreign
or a box of surgical gloves.
ownership in many sectors.
Even more daunting is a prohibi-
This year, the Cuban Government
tion on high-technology exports SO
will be host to 250 trade fairs, a
broad that it basically includes any-
turnabout 38 years after Mr. Castro
thing with a microprocessor. "They
began the nationalization of hun-
think it's going to be put in the nose of
dreds of foreign companies that led
a cruise missile and sent back our
to the trade embargo. The first prop-
way," said W. Bradford Gary, a,
erty seized, on June 29, 1960, was a
board member of the Medical Device.
Texaco refinery. The rest followed
Manufacturers Association, who vis-
on Aug. 6. President John F. Kennedy
ited Cuba last month. As a result, he.
imposed the embargo Feb. 7, 1962.
said, Cuban doctors wash and re-use
Nearly 6,000 property claims have
surgical gloves and operate 1950's
been certified by the United States;
kidney-dialysis machines with no
more than half of them, with a 1972
spare parts.
At the moment, the largest li-
censed transaction with Cuba is
AT&T's annual payment of $23 mil-
'You could run
lion for access to the Cuban market,
part of $66 million in fees from nine
brake shoes over
long-distance companies. (Most Tof
the long-distance calls that AT&T
for '53 Chevys and
makes money on originate in the
United States.) American airlines
make a fortune.'
pay another $6 million to fly over
Cuban air space en route to South
America.
Other transactions range fromt
value of $1.8 billion, are held by 30
Western Union Moneygrams to three
corporations. Under the Helms-Bur-
charter flights a week from three
ton Act of 1996, the embargo can be
Miami charter airlines, which last
lifted only after those claims are
The New York Times
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1998
year were permitted to fly 17,000
settled by a democratic government
journalists, academicians and hu-
that does not include Fidel or Raúl
Castro.
manitarians and 43,000 Cuban-Amer-
Rather than cowing American
icans home for their once-a-year
companies keen on doing business in
family visit.
Cuba, however, that requirement has
After two American civilian
galvanized them to speak out against
planes were shot down by Cuba in
the embargo, according to John Ka-
1996, direct flights to the island were
vulich 2d, president of the U.S.-Cuba
banned, and American visitors had
2/2
Trade and Economic Council, a non-
to travel first to Mexico or the Baha-
profit business organization that de-
mas and board foreign airlines there
scribes itself as nonpartisan. "Large
for the final leg to Havana. President
companies moved from just gather-
Clinton's reversal of that policy is
ing information about Cuba to find-
expected to reduce the round-trip
ing out what they could do in Cuba
fare to about $300 from $400, while
today, and then doing it," he said.
increasing the traffic handled by
Even some companies with big
American charter companies by 50
compensation claims are cautious
percent, to 90,000 passengers a year,
about making an issue of them as
said Vivian Mannerud. president of
they eye the Cuban market. Texaco
the Airline Broker Company.
THA
hopes to resolve its demand "if the
"Since the Pope's visit, we've seen
opportunity represents itself," said
an increase in visa applications,
Chris Gidez, director of external
nearly doubling," Ms. Mannerud
communications. Meantime, the
said. "People are saying it's time to
company sent a member of its Latin
visit their families, some who have
American business team to Havana
waited 30 years."
last month to meet with Government
officials.
Until now, most American corpo-
rations have feared approaching Cu-
ba's shores, even when it was legal.
Medical sales, for example, have
been allowed for years, but only 40
transactions have been licensed
since 1992, and medical companies
Coba
An Open Letter
on Cuba
from the American Business
and Agricultural Communities
January 16, 1998
Dear President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich, and Majority Leader Lott:
For nearly 40 years, the United States has pursued a policy of containment and isolation toward Cuba.
This outdated policy currently serves to bolster a struggling regime and isolate the Cuban people from
American influence.
Next week, world attention will focus on Pope John Paul II's historic trip to Cuba. Already his trip is
serving as a catalyst for change. Now the United States has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership
through engagement as well. While there are no guarantees in foreign policy, engagement can be
a powerful force when pursued at all levels - political, diplomatic, economic, charitable, religious,
educational, and cultural.
We believe the time is right to explore new initiatives to promote freedom in Cuba. As a first step, we urge
that you publicly commit - in the State of the Union Address and the Republican response - to end the
ban on the export of U.S. food as well as lift the restrictions on the sale of medical products. We would hope
that this opening will produce further opportunities for improved relations.
Leadership is something all Americans respect. We stand ready to support you in a new policy of engagement
with Cuba.
Sincerely,
USA*ENGAGE
National Foreign Trade Council, Inc.
American Farm Bureau Federation
United States Chamber of Commerce
National Association of Manufacturers
Small Business Exporters Association
The National Grange
Construction Industry Manufacturers Association
American Soybean Association
Automotive Parts and Accessories Association
American Feed Industry Association
Grocery Manufacturers of America
Emergency Committee for American Trade
North American Export Grain Association
International Association of Geophysical Contractors
Computer & Communications Industry Association
Equipment Manufacturers Institute
Manufacturers Alliance
Food Distributors International
Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association
Computing Technology Industries Association
U.S. Association for International Business and Trade
European-American Business Council
International Wood Products Association
American Association of Exporters and Importers
Americans for Humanitarian Trade with Cuba
USA*ENGAGE IS A COALITION OF 640 SMALL AND LABSE BUSINESSES, ASRICULTURAL GROUPS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WORKING TO SEEKALTER.
NATIVES TO THE PROLIPERATION OF UNILATERAL U.S. FOREIGN POLICY SANCTIONS AND TO PROMOTE THE BENEFITS OF U.S. ENGAGEMENT ABROAD. FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON USA * ENGAGE AND THE HARMFUL SEPECTS OF UNILATERAL TRADE SANCTIONS, CONTACT THE NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL AT
(202) 887-0278 AND visit the USA*ENGAGE web site at http://www.usaengage.org.
01/30/98 13:48 FAX 305 579 2156
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NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER PAGE):
COMMENTS:
Have thought a lot
much Colled (maria amax when it happened
Hope all end well! !
The Feb 02 City La here moved
to Tel 27. Will Keep Ja pated
I'm Sure Jan have peen These
article which camere the undelineable
Change taking place M both Rides of
the Florida ftrails
Please call Sne when In can 1
If you have any problems receiving part of this transmittal, please call (305) 579-2180
01/30/98
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The Miami Herald
www.herald.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998
THE HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998
F
CARL , Herald Staff
BROKE AN OATH: After 38 years in exile, David Cabarrocas
returned to Cuba while Fidel Castro remained in power.
Exiles rethink options
after Pope's Cuba visit
EXILES, FROM 1A
islation to send
'The ideological war
food and other humanitarian aid
to Cuba through the American
on Fidel Castro has
Red Cross or the Catholic Church.
The Foundation's move comes
already been won.
two months after the death of
DAVID CABARROCAS,
chairman, Jorge Mas Canosa, who
Cuban exile in Miami
had shown signs that his strategy
toward Cuba was changing and
surprised many by debating a
de La Revolucion. "The ideologi-
bigh-ranking Cuban official on
cal war on Fidel Castro has
Spanish-language television.
already been won."
Now, even conservative exiles
Marivi Prado, a human-rights
who caution against changing
activist who describes herself as
hard-line strategies until there are
"a typical Cuban in Miami who
more substantive reforms in Cuba
would have never traveled to
are saying the Pope's visit pro-
Cuba," said her days there were
vokes soul-searching.
"the experience of a lifetime."
"The Pope has made us think
She has returned convinced
and reassess," said Rafael Peñal-
exiles need to establish closer links
ver, a Miami lawyer who led a suc-
with Cubans on the island and
cessful campaign to cancel a pil-
support the church's efforts by
grimage from Miami to Havana
making donations to Caritas, the
by cruise ship. "The church is in
church's charitable arm, without
the process of nation building,
worrying about whether it's going
conscience building and it's
to a communist or not.
looking beyond Castro. The Pope
has extended the bridge between
She got to know all kinds of peo-
the Cuban exile community and
ple in Cuba and feels many who
the island and we need to recon-
support the government - "they
sider our position."
are survivors," she said - can be
won over with goodwill.
01/30/98
13:50
FAX
305
579
2156
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On Cuban radio airwaves, often
the barometer of exile opinion,
'Nice to meet you'
there's talk of a need to look in
Cabarrocas said the first Cuban
new ways at a more complex
he met was an agent of the feared
Cuba, of forging new strategies.
Ministry of the Interior who
Many more listeners are weigh-
inquired about his motives for
ing in with opinions that had pre-
going to Cuba.
viously only brought scorn and
harsh criticism from commenta-
"Do you have family here?" he
tors, and had been viewed as the
asked.
work of Castro agents.
"No," Cabarrocas said.
"If we lift the embargo, we may
"Are you visiting friends here?"
he asked.
just scare [Castro] to death," said
a caller to WWFE La Poderosa.
Cabarrocas extended his hand
and told him: "No, you are my
Perhaps for the first time in four
first friend here. My name is
decades of exile, some in South
David Cabarrocas, and it's very
Florida believe, more exiles are
nice to meet you."
ready to discount an armed strug-
The man smiled, shook his
gle or a U.S. invasion in favor of a
hand, and waved him through.
peaceful transition process.
Another exile, Elena Valdes-
In a town where war on Castro
Crespo Freyre, said an immigra-
was the only respectable prescrip-
tion officer handed back her pass-
tion, talk of fomenting change
port and said: "Bienvenida a su
through a strategy of national rec-
país."
onciliation is taking root.
Welcome to your country.
"A catharsis has taken place in
"It was an incredible moment,"
exile," said Miami lawyer Alfredo
Freyre said. "People need to go
Duran, vice president of the
and make contacts for themselves,
Cuban Committee for Democ-
people-to-people."
racy, an exile group that advocates
There are ways of leaving as lit-
dialogue. "People are more
tle money as possible in the hands
readily disposed to explore new
of the Cuban government - a
avenues. What the Pope has done
major exile concern, Freyre said.
is flash a light into a semi-dark
She ate in family-run paladares.
My
room."
mini-restaurants Cubans have set
41
of
Fueling the optimism were dis-
up in their in homes to survive
economic hardships. And she
O
plays in Cuba of religious fervor,
the live television images of a
rented a driver not from the offi-
"
giant Jesus Christ in the Plaza de
cial Cuban agencies but from an
13:
la Revolucion, people's daring
independent association.
to
chants of "Libertad!," the Pope's
P
urging of a national reconcilia-
"Whenever I went to a beauty
so
tion, and now that they are back in
salon, a paladar, or stood in a
to
Florida, the testimony of exiles
street corner waiting, people
sn
who witnessed it all first-hand.
would ask, 'Señora, you think
e
there will be change?' It's like they
=
A painful concession
are waiting to receive any news,
!P
While exiles have been traveling
any kind of sign," Prado said.
ou
to Cuba since the Cuban govern-
She told them that everywhere
10
ment began allowing it in 1979,
the Pope visited change for the
24
the visits were seen as a painful
common good had occurred.
18
concession in order to reunite
"Their faces would light up,"
D
with family.
Prado said.
111
The pounding'
is
Those who traveled to Cuba
ЧЕ
faced the scorn of many exiles.
Despite the optimism, some
24
One militant group even video-
exile activists warn that exiles
an
taped exiles at the airport in an
must continue to play the role of
u
attempt, to expose and embarrass
opposition - "the pounding,"
PO
them.
Peñalver calls it - that has called
But at the urging of the Catholic
pu
attention to the regime's abuses
82(
Church, some respected long-time
the last 39 years.
exiles who had never been back
Any drastic change of strategy
decided to beed the calling and
in Miami has to take into account
travel to Cuba.
the feelings of exiles who suffered
Most had booked seats on the
persecution and personal trage-
controversial cruise ship, but
dies at the hands of the Castro
instead traveled by plane with the
government, Peñalver said.
Archdiocese of New York after
"Castro is the one who doesn't
the cruise was canceled due to
want dialogue. He is the one who
exile protests that it would be used
doesn't want to open up," he said,
as a propaganda tool by Castro.
He points to the selective pro-
While the Cuban government
cess of issuing visas for the Pope's
did deny many visas, and many
visit and says a massive flood of
exiles who wanted to could not go,
exiles traveling to the island could
those who did returned this week
"open the floodgates of American
with powerful testimony.
tourism and increase the sexual
Cubans welcomed them with
tourism that exists with the Euro-
open arms, were grateful for their
pean community.
presence and want more contact
"There has to be greater free-
with exiles, they said.
dom to merit a greater response,"
Through one-on-one conversa-
Peñalver said. "To just open up
tions, they said, they were able to
under the present conditions
abate fears - and the perception
would have negative conse-
that exiles are waiting for the fall
quences."
of Castro to return and claim their
But be agrees with the pilgrims
properties, taking away what little
in wishing for the Catholic church
people there have.
to continue to play the role of
"I went to change hearts and I
change agent and reconciliator -
found a lot of harmony, a lot of
both in Cuba and in Miami.
need to talk with people from the
"We need to make sure the
other side," said Cabarrocas, who
Cuban people see us as allies in
handed out rosaries at the Plaza
the process of freedom," he said.
META
1000 Brickell Avenue. 4th Floor
Miami. Florida 33131
305-579-2180 Fax 305-579-2156
February 18, 1998
TO:
The President
THROUGH:
Ms. Maria Echaveste
FROM:
Maria Elena Torano
Re:
Creation of a Bipartisan Commission to Evaluate and Make
Recommendations on Cuba
SUMMARY
His Eminence Bernard Cardinal Law of Boston and other Church leaders believe the
time has come to address important issues in the Cuba-U.S. relationship. Events
during and after the visit of Pope John Paul, a softening of attitudes in Cuba, and
changes in the thinking of Cuban Americans lead these leaders to conclude that
creation of a Bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission of distinguished Americans from
both political parties would be an important step forward.
I fully support their thinking and urge you to consider their proposal for several reasons.
A panel of informed and experienced Americans would provide legitimacy,
credibility, and innovative thinking on these issues.
The bipartisan and high level character of such a Commission would take
pressure off the Administration and Congress.
Cuban American attitudes are changing, but Cuban Americans may not wish to
leave decisions about their future in the hands of others, even it if includes
Church leaders.
The timing for such action should be sooner rather than later to capture windows
of opportunity in Miami and Cuba and before the fall election campaigns.
BACKGROUND
Responding to an invitation from Mr. Fernando Remirez de Estenoz, Head of the
Cuban Interest Section in Washington, I met with Cardinal Law on February 16.
Cardinal Law recently returned from Havana where he and most U.S. Cardinals had
- 2 -
I
participated in events surrounding the visit of Pope John Paul. During this intimate but
substantive dinner, the issue of Cuba-U.S. relations and the new role of the Church
after the Papal visit were the subject of serious and substantial discussion.
A Bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission comprised of distinguished citizens who would
contribute their personal achievements and experiences -- and who have demonstrated
empathy and commitment in similar transitions - could facilitate the solution you have
been seeking since your first term in office. Interestingly, former Presidents Bush and
Carter were mentioned by the Cardinal as potential leaders of this effort.
Undoubtedly the attitude of the Cuban government has softened in recent months. It
started during the preparations for the Papal visit when Fidel Castro allowed door-to-
door missions to inform Cubans about the Pope, permitted open-air masses, increased
the number of visas for foreign and Cuban-born priests, and reinstated Christmas as a
national holiday -- a practice that many expect will continue. Most recently and at the
Pope's request, over 200 prisoners, many of them dissidents, have been released and
are re-entering society or quietly planning to leave the island.
Change is also evident in Miami. The number of Cuban Americans who are visiting the
island has dramatically increased, with many planning to return at least once or twice a
year. Their commitment to support actively any humanitarian efforts to assist the
Cuban people are topics of conversation - including open discussion in public forums
conducted under the theme of helping foster a stronger Church in Cuba. These forums
attract a broad audience that includes prominent members of Miami's Cuban-American
business sector.
The Pope's visit to Cuba brought down barriers that have lasted 40 years. Through the
extensive media coverage the visit received in Miami, New Jersey, and major Hispanic
urban areas, even those who were not physically in Cuba were touched by what they
saw. The attitudinal change of Cuban Americans is making them more open and
compassionate to the needs of those who remain behind. As a result, there is space to
create change.
If there has been a time Mr. President when conditions are ripe to take a closer and
careful look at Cuba and its future, it is now.
The idea presented by Cardinal Law at our dinner was well received by our Cuban
hosts. They agreed that having recognized leaders from both parties address an issue
-- that until now has been ignored due to the controversy it would spark in Miami and
consequently in the U.S. Congress and the Administration -- would be well received in
Cuba.
I
- 3 -
Much more is expected from the Cuban government in order for Cuban Americans in
Miami to publicly support repeal of Helms-Burton and the re-establishment of Cuba-
U.S. relations. But we are beginning to see changes in Cuba that have not occurred in
almost 40 years.
As Americans we should be receptive to any movement that could bring about active
and sustained engagement with the Cuban government and would lead to the
development of civil society.
Ever since I have known you Mr. President, going back to your first election, you have
demonstrated interest and concern for the Cuban dilemma. During your early days as
Governor of Arkansas, you felt the aftermath of the Mariel boat lift and were aware of
how actions taken by Fidel Castro impacted on America's heartland. Your interest has
continued as you made difficult policy decisions during such crises as Guantanamo and
the young Cuban American pilots' assassination.
I believe the time has come to take a second look at Cuba and engage a group of
prestigious citizens to make recommendations on ways to maximize current
opportunities and build on the gains made during these first few months.
As always, I stand ready to assist you in these endeavors in any way.
implemented, they will substantially
U.S. to Ease
reinstate the rules that were in place
before the refugee crisis of 1994 and
Cuba
the 1996 shootdown of the planes.
Some Curbs
The pope sharply criticized the
U.S. embargo during his visit to Cuba
in January. But the premise underly-
(M's office
ing the president's decision, officials
Against Cuba
said, is that the visit, the first papal
awer
trip to Cuba since Castro came to
power in 1959, showed that Cubans
Officials Link Changes
want and need organizations not
controlled by the state to help ease
To Pope's January Visit
their poverty and political isolation,
and that the church may be prepared
to take on that role.
By THOMAS W. LIPPMAN
A1
"The pope's visit has created a
Washington Post Staff Writer
different dynamic," a senior official
said. "Castro is not going to change,
President Clinton has decided to allow
but what is happening here is that
Cuban Americans to resume sending money
there is a desire of the [Cuban]
directly to relatives on the island and to
people to expand on the space that
permit charter flights from the United States
has been created" between them and
to Cuba in an effort to capitalize on a
the Castro government. "What we
changed atmosphere in Cuba inspired by the
have to do is sideline Castro as much
visit of Pope John Paul II. senior administra-
as possible" by showing Cubans that
tion officials said yesterday.
the outside world cares about them
In addition, the president will instruct the
and by encouraging nonstate organi-
Treasury Department and other agencies to
zations such as the church to become
simplify licensing procedures for exporting
more active, this official said.
medicine and medical devices to Cuba and to
As described by senior officials,
expedite the processing of license applica-
who insisted on anonymity, the presi-
tions.
dent's initiative is consistent in moti-
The White House is expected to announce
vation with an initiative by the anti-
the changes today, senior officials said. They
Castro Cuban American National
described the president's decision as an
Foundation to send donations of food
effort to bolster the status of the Roman
Catholic Church in Cuba and decrease the
and medicine to the island through
dependence of the Cuban people on state
church-affiliated organization.
organizations.
A similar proposal was offered by
Clinton's decision marks the first relax-
Roger Noriega and Marc Thiessen,
ation of U.S. policy toward Cuba since
aides to Senate Foreign Relations
Cuban jet fighters shot down two unarmed
Committee Chairman Jesse Helms
small planes operated by a Miami-based
(R-N.C.), a dedicated foe of Castro
Cuban exile group in January 1996, killing
who authorized the two to travel to
four crew members.
Cuba during the papal visit.
Officials insisted, however, that the
But Clinton's order goes beyond
moves do not signal a weakening of the
what the foundation or the Helms
long-standing U.S. embargo on trade with
staffers were prepared to accept,
Cuba, which they said remains the corner-
Thiessen and others said yesterday.
stone of efforts to isolate and undermine the
"They are making a terrible mis-
communist regime of President Fidel Cas-
take, which potentially endangers
tro. Senior officials said Clinton has the
months of efforts to build consensus
authority to make the changes by executive
behind legislation to get humanitari-
order and does not need legislation. Con-
an aid to the Cuban people," Thies
gressional action would be required to scrap
sen said after Albright met with
Washington Post
the embargo because it was written into law
Helms yesterday.
in the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which Clin-
"We emphatically opposed any
ton signed reluctantly after the shootdown
reestablishment of direct flights and
FRIDAY, MARCH 20,
of the planes.
direct remittances to Cuba," said
Before the shootdown, Clinton said last-
Jose Cardenas, Washington director
of the Cuban American National
See POLICY.A Col. 1
Foundation. He said Clinton's deci-
sion to allow Cuban Americans to
POLICY. From Al
send $1,200 annually to relatives on
the island would bolster Castro be-
November on "Meet the Press," he
wanted "to open up with Cuba, to
cause the only place Cubans can
spend dollars is in groceries and
have a gradually evolving relation-
ship" if Castro eased his repressive
pharmacies operated by the state.
A senior administration official
policies. The relaxation of restric-
tions to be announced today, how-
disputed that statement, however,
ever, "is a response to what the pope
saying that legalization of the dollar
in Cuba has created "an immense
did, not a response to anything
black market" in which Cubans able
Castro has done," a senior official
to obtain U.S. currency can buy from
said.
As news of the impending modifi-
many vendors. In reality, State De-
partment officials said, the impact of
cations filtered out yesterday, advo-
cates of lifting the embargo hailed the
the new rule permitting remittances
decision as a good first step, while
is likely to be minimal because Cuban
Americans are sending hundreds of
anti-Castro hard-liners blasted it as
an unwarranted gesture to a dictator
millions of dollars a year to the island
who responded to the pope's visit
through third countries.
with a new crackdown on dissidents.
Allowing charter flights directly
Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla)
from the U.S. mainland to Cuba by
and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Cu-
church-affiliated groups and other
ban Americans, said in a statement
nonprofit organizations, however,
that Clinton "once again makes clear
would greatly reduce the cost of
that he seeks to unilaterally relax
shipping medical supplies, officials
said.
sanctions on the Castro tyranny.
Rather than providing Castro with
"I would say this is an important
the hard currency he seeks, the
step in the right direction," said John
administration should find ways to
Howard, international policy director
seriously and effectively assist the
of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
internal opposition in Cuba."
which seeks an end to the embargo.
"It should not be confused with more
Officials close to Secretary of State
Madeleine K. Albright said she took
important steps that need to be taken
soundings in Florida's Cuban Ameri-
to end the embargo.
can community during a recent trip
to Miami and came away convinced
that some Cuban American groups
favored the types of measures the
administration will announce today.
Albright recommended the modifi-
cations to Clinton after she met with
the DODE in Rome on March 7. Once
Since emerging from recent elec-
Former BJP president Mu
India's Hindu
tions as the top vote-getter, the new
nohar Joshi, who was named 1.
ruling coalition has tried to extend its
resource development minister,
expected lifespan by moving toward
has been critical of allowing fort
Nationalists
the political center. The coalition
capital into the country.
agenda released Wednesday omitted
Joshi is one of three BJP haro
Hindu nationalist issues that the BJP
liners in the new cabinet-along with
Take Charge
has previously emphasized and wa-
the party's current president, L.K.
tered down its protectionist econom-
Advani, and Uma Bharati-who
ic policies. BJP members sworn into
were charged with inciting the 1992
By KENNETH J. COOPER
AI
the cabinet today with Vajpayee are
Ayodhya riot. Advani was named
Washington Post Foreign Service
divided between moderates and
home minister, putting him in charge
hard-liners.
of domestic security forces; as minis-
NEW DELHI, March 19-India
Vajpayee, 71, also has promised to
ter of human resource development,
today installed a new government
try to build consensus on contro-
Joshi's responsibilities include over-
dominated by Hindu nationalists
versial legislation. The senior law-
seeing education.
committed to testing the secular
maker, who served as foreign min-
Several BJP members indicated
creed that many believe has held
ister of a coalition government in the
the Human Resources Ministry
this vast mosaic of a nation togeth-
late 1970s, will double as foreign
would be important to the party
er throughout its half-century of
minister in the new government.
because the Hindu nationalist broth-
existence.
The coalition sent a reassuring
erhood associated with the BJP, the
The new government of Prime
signal to international investors by
National Volunteer Corps, runs
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, un-
naming another BJP moderate, Yash-
about 12,000 schools nationwide.
like the one he led for two weeks in
want Sinha, as finance minister. Sin-
At least six members of religious
1996, is likely to survive an initial
ha was finance minister in a left-lean-
minorities also received cabinet
vote of confidence next week and
ing coalition government for a year
remain in power long enough to
ending in 1991.
berths: three Sikhs, two Muslims and
build a record in office. But Vajpay-
In a 1992 column in Business
one Christian.
ee and his fellow Hindu national-
Today, an Indian magazine, Sinha
Industry Minister Sikhander
ists, whose accession to power was
opposed populist subsidies but ar-
Bakht has been the BJP's most prom-
feared by India's huge Muslim
gued that market-oriented changes in
inent Muslim, and Mukhtar Abbas
minority, are constrained by a ten-
the nation's formerly socialist econo-
Naqvi was the only Muslim BJP
uous grip on power and have tried
my needed to win public acceptance
member elected to the lower house.
to signal a more moderate course.
if the government implementing
Bakht sits in the upper house, where
The direction in which Vajpayee
them hoped to survive. "That is why I
members are chosen by state legisla-
steers the new government could
always insist that [economic] re-
tures. Naqvi's ministry has not yet
test the strength of the world's
forms must appear to succeed in the
short term in order to endure in the
been announced.
largest democracy, which was
born in communal violence be-
long term," he concluded.
tween Hindus and Muslims that
India's long-insular economy was
claimed hundreds of thousands of
not opened significantly to the out-
lives in 1947. Although about 20
side world until a Congress-led gov-
percent of India's 950 million peo-
ernment began pushing through re-
ple are not Hindu-including more
forms in 1991. In the ensuing
than 100 million Muslims-
years-which have seen the United
Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party
States become India's biggest trading
partner and largest foreign inves-
See INDIA. Col. 1
tor-significant restraint remains on
foreign companies, and the BJP's
INDIA, From Al
rhetoric has favored self-reliance by
curbing foreign investment in the
(BJP) conceives of India as "one
consumer sector.
nation, one people and one culture,"
Four cabinet ministers have been
that of the Hindu majority.
prominent critics of foreign invest-
"Deep down in the hearts of Mus-
ment in India.
lims, I sense apprehension," said
As industry ministry in the late
Ashgar Ali Engineer, an Islamic
1970s, George Fernandes, a socialist
scholar in Bombay.
party leader, forced Coca-Cola and
In the past, the BJP has taken a
IBM out of the country. The compa-
militant anti-Muslim stance. In 1992,
nies did not return for more than a
party leaders stood and watched
decade. In the last two weeks, local
while Hindu fanatics razed a historic
newspapers have quoted him as
mosque in the city of Ayodhya,
threatening similar curbs on foreign
seeking to rebuild an ancient Hindu
investment.
temple that had stood on the site
Fernandes was named defense
before Muslim invaders tore it down
minister in the Vajpayee government.
The Washington Post
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1998
centuries ago. The incident prompt-
Menaka Gandhi, an independent
ed communal violence that claimed
whose mother-in-law was the late
2,500 lives across the country.
prime minister Indira Gandhi, has
But political circumstances seem
criticized the recent opening of
certain to temper the BJP-ed govern-
Airerican fast-food outlets in several
ment's actions. Vajpayee has taken
cities. Anant Kumar, a BJP member,
charge of a coalition government
opposed holding the 1996 Miss
supported by more than a dozen
World pageant in the southern city of
smaller parties, and only one of those
Bangalore because he said the beauty
small parties shares a Hindu national-
contest represented a "cultural inva-
ist orientation. Moreover, the coali-
sion" from the West.
tion does not control a majority of
Kumar was named minister of civil
seats in Parliament's lower house.
aviation, an area in which the permis-
Even with the support of all its
sible level of foreign investment has
components, the 13-party coalition
been disputed. Gandhi, an environ-
expects to survive a confidence vote
mentalist, has not yet been given a
scheduled for March 28 only by the
portfolio.
grace of absentions and vacant seats.
Cuba
CM'S office Drawer #1)
Helms Plans $100 Million Aid Package for Cuba
By DAVID STOUT
for the Gubans. Proposals with simi-
fonse M. D'Amato of New York and
WASHINGTON, May 14 - Senator
lar intent have also been talked
Orrin G. Hatch of Utah They also
Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate
about in the House of Representa-
included the Democratic Senators
Foreign Relations Committee, pro-
tives.
Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut
posed a $100 million aid package for
Mr. Helms's announcement
and Robert G. Torricelli of New Jer-
Cuba today that he said would im-
brought a cautious response from the
sey. Mr. Torricelli said the Helms bill
prove the lives of Cubans while
White House. Eric Rubin, a spokes-
"recognizes the need for humanitar-
weakening the hold of Fidel Castro.
man for the National Security Coun-
ian assistance for the Cubans be-
The proposal announced by the
cil, called the Senator's ideas "good
cause of Castro's oppressive policies,
Yorth Carolina Republican, which
starting points" but said the Admin-
and it puts the Castro regime on
was endorsed by more than 20 other
istration was not endorsing any spe-
record as violators of the basic ten-
Senators from both parties, would
cific Cuba-aid program at this point.
ets of human rights."
channel food and medical assistance
"We want to work with the spon-
Mr. Clinton announced in March
to the Cuban people through the Ro-
sors of these initiatives toward the
an easing of some American curbs
man Catholic Church and politically
values we share - getting food and
on aid to Cuba. He said he would
independent relief organizations.
other humanitarian assistance to the
allow Cuban-Americans in the Unit-
As envisioned by Mr. Helms, the
people of Cuba," Mr. Rubin said. He
ed States to send money directly to
package would weaken one of the
said President Clinton had already
relatives in Cuba through licensed
last avowedly Marxist dictators in
asked Secretary of State Madeleine
agencies, and that certain charitable
the world no matter what Mr. Castro
K. Albright to work with Congres-
organizations would be allowed to
did. If Mr. Castro allows the aid to
sional leaders on the issue.
conduct direct charter flights from
come into his country, "it will re-
Given the complexity and sensitiv-
the United States to Cuba, carrying
move his ability to use deprivation as
ity of issues about Cuba, Mr. Rubin
goods for relief purposes or passen-
a tool of oppression," Mr. Helms
said, it is not clear when an aid bill
gers for emergencies like funerals.
said. And if Mr. Castro shuns the
will reach Mr. Clinton. But the bipar-
The President's lifting of those
help, "then 11 million Cubans will
tisan support of Mr. Helms's propos-
curbs was largely a reversal of
know exactly who is responsible for
als made some Congressional action
measures he imposed in August 1994,
their daily suffering."
seem all but inevitable.
when in response to an organized
The announcement by Mr. Helms
Mr. Helms's backers included the
exodus of Cuban boat people he
was no surprise. He has been talking
Republican Senators Trent Lott of
barred Cuban-Americans from send-
for several months about relief aid
Mississippi, the majority leader; Al-
ing money to relatives on the island.
F.B.I. Agent Cleared in Idaho Siege Shooting
BOISE, Idaho, May 14 (AP) - A
The Justice Department decided
Federal judge today dismissed an
in 1994 against prosecuting Mr. Hor-
involuntary manslaughter charge
iuchi. The manslaughter charge was
against an F.B.I. sharpshooter in the
brought by a county prosecutor un-
death of the wife of the white sepa-
der state law.
ratist Randy Weaver during the
Mr. Horiuchi was accused of negli-
siege at Ruby Ridge.
gently firing the shot that killed Mrs.
Judge Edward Lodge of Federal
Weaver as she was holding her infant
District Court ruled in an 18-page
daughter, Elisheba, inside the re-
order that the sharpshooter, Lon
mote cabin in northern Idaho on the
Horiuchi, was acting within the scope
second day of the 11-day standoff
of his Federal authority and was
that also resulted in the deaths of the
honestly discharging his duties when
Weavers' 14-year-old son, Sam, and
he fired the shot that killed Vicki
Deputy United States Marshal Wil-
Weaver on Aug. 22, 1992.
liam Degan.
The New York Times
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1998
Republicans Crush Effort
To Chastise a Chairman
By LIZETTE ALVAREZ
sentatives." The impetus for the res-
WASHINGTON, May 14 - In the
olution was Mr. Burton's release of
latest salvo over the beleaguered
excerpts of prison tape recordings of
House inquiry into campaign fund-
Webster Hubbell, excerpts that Dem-
raising, Republicans fought off a bid
ocrats said omitted exculpatory in-
by Democrats to chastise the chair-
formation. Mr. Hubbell is a friend of
man of the panel spearheading the
the Clintons.
investigation.
But in a letter to Mr. Gephardt
Democrats offered a resolution to
today, Mr. Burton, who has withstood
"disapprove" of the way in which
a blizzard of Democratic attacks,
Representative Dan Burton, the
said the resolution was based on
chairman of the House Committee on
"misinformation" and "inaccura-
Government Reform and Oversight,
cies." Mr. Burton said he had never
has handled the investigation instead
deviated from proper procedure.
of demanding his removal from the
"It may be that the transparently
inquiry. By switching tactics, Demo-
political nature of your resolution
crats hoped to make it more difficult
was the reason that you were not
for Republicans to vote against the
able to hold your entire caucus to-
measure.
gether on the vote," Mr. Burton said
"Enough is enough," said Repre-
in the letter.
sentative Richard A. Gephardt of
The chairman's inquiry into the
Missouri, the Democratic leader, at
campaign finance practices of Dem-
a news conference after the vote,
ocrats in the 1996 election has foun-
referring to Mr. Burton's inquiry.
dered in recent weeks as Democrats
"This is not being done right. This is
being done unfairly. This is being
have twice blocked a significant vote
done wrong. And we are not going to
to immunize witnesses from possible
cooperate anymore with an investi-
prosecution in the inquiry.
gation that has been so horribly man-
The Speaker is considering several
aged."
proposals on how to break the im-
But Republicans buried the resolu-
passe. Republicans said today that
tion, 223 to 196, with not one member
Mr. Gingrich was considering a full
breaking ranks. On the other side of
House vote to grant immunity to the
the aisle, three Democrats voted
four witnesses in the campaign fund-
against the proposal. They were Rep-
raising scandal.
resentatives Virgil Goode Jr. of Vir-
Next week, Republicans are ex-
ginia, Ralph Hall of Texas and Gene
pected to bring a resolution to the
Taylor of Mississippi.
House floor calling on Democrats to
Despite the party-line vote, Speak-
cooperate with the investigation.
er Newt Gingrich has been consider-
ing whether to shift the investigation
from Mr. Burton's committee be-
cause Republicans on the panel lack
the votes to move the inquiry for-
McDougal Wrote
ward. The pitched partisan battle
over the inquiry has disturbed sev-
OfLie, Lawyer Says
eral Republicans, who fear that their
message about Presidential wrong-
By The New York Times
doing has been muddled.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 14 -
To refocus attention, Mr. Gingrich
Susan H. McDougal's lawyer said at
has gone on the attack in the last
her arraignment today that he had a
three weeks, summoning the fiery
document from her late husband, a
partisan language that was once his
major witness in the Whitewater
calling card. He has spoken at length
case, suggesting that he considered
of President Clinton's "crimes" and
lying in exchange for immunity.
has accused Democrats of "obstruct-
The lawyer, Mark J. Geragos, said
ing justice" in the investigation.
he had obtained a statement taken
Frank Luntz, a pollster who was
one of the authors of the original
from James B. McDougal's Texas
Republican Contract With America,
jail cell, which he said was in Mr.
was sharply critical of Mr. Ging-
McDougal's handwriting, that read,
rich's tone today, cautioning that the
"Lie about Clinton and Tucker and
tactic might backfire.
get immunity."
"The politics of anger that cap-
Mr. McDougal, who died in prison
tured this country in '94 will not work
in March, was convicted in May 1996,
in '98," Mr. Luntz said at a morning
along with Ms. McDougal and Jim
breakfast with reporters. "Attacking
Guy Tucker, Mr. Clinton's successor
the President is not a good political
as Arkansas Governor, for fraud and
move if you're reaching out."
other crimes.
Mr. Gingrich, he said, is a "credi-
At her arraignment, Ms. McDou-
ble" messenger, "if he could just
gal, who is serving a two-year sen-
adjust his tone slightly."
tence for the fraud conviction, plead-
Today's Democratic resolution
ed not guilty to criminal contempt
sought to reprimand Mr. Burton for
and obstruction of justice for refus-
"his consistent abuse of the investi-
ing to answer questions before the
gative powers of the House of Repre-
Whitewater grand jury.
The
New
York
Times
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1998
(M'S
ottice
Cuba
Draver
the dirt-floor house. "But if they
Independent
don't sleep there, they'll be gone
with the dawn. The thieves don't
miss a chance. They killed our best
milk cow last month."
farmers eat
Thieves are also the reason why
the family's 400-pound pig, penned
up just outside the kitchen, is
brought into the house every night.
"If we don't, we'll wake up and
well in Cuba
it will be gone," said the skinny,
shirtless Mr. Cabrera, laughing
heartily under his straw hat.
The couple won't sell the pig
Policies give them what others lack
once they slaughter it, even though
they could get about $175 for the
meat. Instead, they will share it
Under this system, farmers
with relatives.
By Frank Bajak
ASSOCIATED PRESS
technically own what they pro-
"Otherwise, we won't have
duce. Still, state officials set an-
meat, or fat," Mrs. Martinez said.
JIMAGUAYU, Cuba - The Ca-
nual production quotas for both in-
Because of their cows, the cou-
brera family farm isn't much to
dividual farmers and coopera-
ple don't worry about their three
look at - some livestock and
tives. Failure to meet quotas
children, ages 7 to 15, getting milk
crops, a half-built house, a broken-
means a fine. Anything produced
- a concern for most Cuban par-
down tractor, an open-air shed and
beyond the quotas is theirs to sell
ents.
a few rough-hewn stables.
on the open market.
But by Cuban standards, the
It is part of the government's
State rations guarantee about a
family of five is well off. The Ca-
quart of milk a day to all children
introduction of limited, highly reg-
breras have food, and plenty of it
ulated free-market activities in
through age 7. After that, milk can
- a rarity on this communist is-
1993-94, a reform that Mr. Castro
be bought for dollars in state stores
land nation, where meat is a lux-
or obtained on the black market.
likens to a dance with the devil.
ury, everything from eggs to rice is
It's illegal to sell milk at farmers'
In addition to permitting open-
rationed at subsidized prices and
markets. Last year, Mr. Cabrera
market sales of food, U.S. dollar
more than 40 percent of food is im-
said, he was fined $32 for not meet-
transactions were legalized for Cu-
ported.
ing his milk quota.
bans and people were permitted to
In a supposedly classless soci-
open small, family-run private
Like the tens of thousands of
ety, private farmers like Leonardo
businesses.
Cubans who moonlight in jobs that
Cabrera and his wife, Dalgis
Martinez, are a class apart.
The measures, designed chiefly
give them access to dollars, such as
the doctors and university profes-
President Fidel Castro is trying
to boost food production and soak
sors who drive tourist taxis, the
to move Cuba toward agricultural
up dollars from tourists and rel-
Cabreras have become dependent
self-sufficiency and has reluc-
atives abroad, are helping Cubans
on the upper tier of Cuba's two-
tantly permitted the very unequal
rebound from food shortages that
tiered economy, married to the
distribution of wealth that benefits
had tens of thousands on the brink
U.S. dollar.
private farmers like the Cabreras.
of malnutrition in the early 1990s.
"Everybody would like to have
"People still eat as if they were
a little piece of land they can plant
on the margin of starvation. But
so they can live better," said Mrs.
they're getting fed better. I think a
Martinez, 31, as she tried to swat
major contribution to that has
away mosquitoes in her open-air
been the liberalization of the farm-
living room sheltered only by a
er's markets," said Archibald Rit-
corrugated steel roof. "Because if
ter, an economist at Carleton Uni-
they don't, everything is very ex-
versity in Ottawa who spends
pensive."
several months a year teaching
Few Cubans - least of all the
and doing research in Cuba.
doctors and teachers, who are the
After the Soviet bloc collapsed
pride of Mr. Castro's revolution -
in 1989-91, Cuba's agricultural
have anything remotely like the
output plummeted by 50 percent
Cabrera farm or access to the
as former allies in Eastern Europe
bounty it produces.
stopped subsidized trading for Cu-
On 166 mildly sloping acres just
ban sugar. They stopped sending
south of the central city of Cama-
the fertilizer, feed, pesticides and
guey, the farm has 70 head of cat-
herbicides that Cuba's highly
tle, a half-dozen horses, a few pigs,
mechanized, state-owned farms
chickens and turkeys, and plots of
had come to depend on.
sugar cane, sweet potatoes, yucca,
From 1989 to 1995, sugar pro-
squash and beans.
duction dropped from 8 million
Few Cubans can get by only on
tons a year to just 3.3 million tons,
rationed goods, and most must
according to an August 1997 re-
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1998
scrape to afford the prices at farm-
port by the U.N. Economic Com-
ers' markets that were legalized in
mission for Latin America and the
October 1994. At a Havana market,
Caribbean. Chicken flocks de-
for example, a pound of ham sells
creased 58 percent. Citrus output
for 45 pesos ($1.95), nearly a fifth
fell 32 percent. Milk production
of the average monthly pay.
dropped 40 percent. Egg output
Mr. Cabrera, 42, is one of 23,000
fell 52 percent.
independent farmers who own 7
Cuba's cattle herd decreased
percent of Cuba's arable land. The
from more than 10 million head in
state expropriated large land hold-
the 1980s to between 5 million and
ings after the 1959 revolution, but
6 million today.
small farmers were allowed to
Killing cows without state per-
keep up to 166 acres and pass land
mission is punishable by jail, but
from generation to generation.
that didn't prevent the theft of six
In the past few years, an addi-
head of cattle from the Cabrera
Cala
tional 60,000 Cubans have been
farm over the past two years,
permitted as individuals to farm
which explains the mosquitoes
but not own - parcels of state-
that feed on the family every eve-
owned land. And most huge Soviet-
ning there isn't a breeze.
style state farms have been reorga-
"It's the cattle that bring this
nized into cooperatives that re-
plague," said Mrs. Martinez, ges-
ward more productive workers
turing at the cows corralled next to
with extra pay.
Organic farming lets communist isle
ease away from prospect of hunger
By Robert Collier
NECESSITY, THE MOTHER OF INVENTION
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
With imports of food, fertilizer and farm equipment cut off, hungry
HAVANA - After four decades
Cuba turned to decentralized, intensive, organic farming. People are
of communism, Cuba is reluctantly
still poor, but they now eat more and better.
pushing ahead with an experiment
miss
Florida
Atlantic
that is no less revolutionary and
Miami
Ocean
may turn out to be much more suc-
Gulf
cessful - organic farming.
of
Havana
The change, forced on the gov-
Mexico
seweyed
ernment by a catastrophic eco-
nomic crisis, has allowed Cubans
to survive and has eliminated the
Camaguey
specter of widespread hunger.
Mexico
From the streets of Havana to
fields throughout the island, Cuba
Carìbbean
has gone ultraenvironmentalist.
What was the most mechanized
agricultural system in Latin
Haiti
America has been turned into the
world's largest area under organic
Jamaica
and semiorganic farming.
The Washington Times
Manure has replaced chemical
fertilizers, worms have replaced
live better than I did before, and
of agricultural extension scientists
insecticides, oxen have replaced
my neighbors are getting cheaper
to the task. More than 200 factories
tractors, and land reform has bro-
food."
were created to produce beneficial
ken up most of the country's state
Mr. Gallart and his family sell
insects and pest pathogens.
farms and given the land to their
all their food at a street-side stand
"Cuba's switch to organic meth-
workers, creating a system of
at the edge of their field. Their
ods shows that developing coun-
profit-driven cooperatives.
prices are about one-third lower
tries don't have to adopt the model
The shift has pulled Cuba back
than in the city's "farmers' mar-
that is always taught as the only
from its economic collapse after
kets," the capitalist-style food mar-
one available," said Peter Rosset,
the fall of the Soviet Union. The
kets that sell food from co-ops and
executive director of the Institute
end of Soviet supplies and subsi-
private farmers nationwide.
for Food and Development Policy.
dies caused a more than 80 percent
The money is good, at least in
The Oakland-based institute, also
drop in supplies of pesticides and
Cuban terms. Mr. Gallart said
known as Food First, works exten-
fertilizers and a 50 percent cut in
each member of his family makes
sively with Cuba's organic sector
fuel and spare parts.
about 550 pesos per month from
and organizes exchange programs
That put a stranglehold on Cu-
the garden - about $25, or twice
with U.S. organic farmers.
ban farm production, which drop-
the average Cuban wage.
The change has been most cru-
ped by nearly half between 1990
Nationwide, the changes have
cial in Havana, which, with about
and 1994 and cut Cubans' daily ca-
been dramatic:
2.3 million residents, is home to
loric and protein intake by a third.
Cities: Since 1991, more than
one-fifth of the island's population
The country is still strapped for
27,000 organic gardens covering
and is the biggest city in the Carib-
cash and cannot afford to buy farm
5,000 acres have been created in
bean. Formerly, virtually no food
supplies on the world market. But
the Havana metropolitan area,
was grown within city limits, so the
its switch to organic techniques
producing an estimated million
capital's residents were hardest hit
has almost completely reversed
tons of food annually. Garden sites
by the crisis of the early 1990s.
the drop in farm production.
are usually vacant or abandoned
The shortage of fuel prompted a
Spearheading the effort are peo-
plots in the same neighborhood or
switch to renewable energy
ple like Heriberto Gallart.
even next door to the gardeners'
sources. Construction of a nuclear
The former professor of educa-
homes.
power plant has been suspended,
tion at a Havana university, who
Countryside: A 1993 govern-
and windmills, solar panels and
said he quit his job "because my
ment decision to break up the state
biomass generators are increas-
salary didn't even pay for my ex-
farms that accounted for 80 per-
ingly common. All of the country's
penses getting to and from work
cent of Cuban agriculture has
sugar mills are now powered by
each day," is one of Cuba's new
turned most of those farms into
burning waste from the cane.
breed of urban organic gardeners.
profit-seeking cooperatives. As a
In addition, a bicycle revolution
Since late 1994, he and his ex-
result, Cuba had record levels of
has swept Cuba. The government
tended family have tended a two-
production for 10 of the 13 princi-
has imported 1 million bicycles
acre garden in a Havana residen-
pal domestic food items in the 1997
from China in recent years, and
tial neighborhood, growing 20
growing season.
the well-marked bicycle lanes
kinds of vegetables and herbs with
Markets: Parallel to these
throughout Havana and other ma-
intensive organic techniques. The
changes, the possession of U.S. dol-
jor cities are usually clogged.
government allows him to use the
lars was legalized, and the new
The only danger ahead for
land - formerly a garbage dump
cooperatives were allowed to sell
Cuba's new ecology-mindedness is
- and has given him tools, seeds
all their excess food - after filling
the possibility of a weakening of
and other equipment. Agriculture
fixed quotas to the state - in del-
the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.
Ministry extension agents helped
lars to the newly created farmers'
Some Cuban organic supporters
him develop a green thumb.
markets.
worry that if it is loosened, Cuba
"This isn't exactly something I
Organics: The government be-
could revert to chemical-intensive
ever expected to be doing," Mr.
gan to promote organic techniques
agriculture and foreign imports
Gallart said. "But my family and I
aggressively, assigning hundreds
for its food.
The Washington 24, Times 1998
TUESDAY,
MARCH