Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

President Clinton has suspended for an additional 6 months, effective August 1, 2000, the provision of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act that allows U.S. nationals with claims to confiscated property in Cuba to file suit under Title III of the Act. In accordance with the Act, the President certified that a suspension is necessary to the national interest and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba. He has reported his determination to the appropriate Congressional committees. In reaching this decision, the President cited important continuing actions by our friends and allies to promote democracy in Cuba.

The President allowed Title III to enter into force on August 1, 1996, but suspended for 6 months the provision that would permit American nationals to bring suit against persons trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba claimed by a U.S. national. He did so in order to work with our friends and allies to develop a multilateral approach to advance democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. The President tasked the Department of State to undertake a new effort to develop international support for democracy and human rights in Cuba. Senior State Department officials met with leaders throughout Europe and Latin America from all sectors -- government, politics, private sector, labor, religion, and human rights -- to forge this new multilateral movement. While there remains substantial disagreement about the best approach to bring democracy to Cuba, all recognize that Cuba must undertake democratic change and respect human rights.

In January 1997, the President cited significant progress in the development of the multilateral initiative and renewed the suspension for another 6 months in order to consolidate and further develop the multilateral approach. At that time, he said he would expect to continue to suspend the Title III lawsuit provision as long as our friends and allies continue their efforts to promote a transition to democracy in Cuba. In July 1997, January 1998, July 1998, January 1999, July 1999, and January 2000 the President noted additional concrete steps to promote democracy and human rights when he announced additional 6-month suspensions.

The President's initiative to gain international support for democracy in Cuba -- the most ambitious since Castro seized power -- is yielding tangible positive results. In the past 6 months, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector have taken additional important steps to promote democracy in Cuba. Cuban officials at home and abroad continue to hear a concerted message in support of democratic change.

Progress in the International Effort to Promote Democracy in Cuba

UNCHR in Geneva

The Czech Republic and Poland again co-drafted and sponsored a resolution at the UN Commisssion on Human Rights session in Vienna, which again gained numerous sponsors from around the world. This year, the resolution passed by a wider margin than in 1999, partly because countries that had previously backed Cuba, such as Mexico, withdrew their support. The resolution called on the Government of Cuba to respect the rights of its citizens and to undertake political and economic reforms.

EU countries joined the U.S., Japan, and others in co-sponsoring the resolution. The Cuban Government reacted by canceling a planned visit of the EU troika to Cuba shortly after the vote.

ACP/Lomé Convention Successor

Shortly after losing the UNCHR vote in Geneva, Cuba withdrew its application to join the successor organization to the Lomé Convention, which helps coordinate EU aid to African, Caribbean, and Pacific island countries. Cuba reportedly reacted to information that some EU countries would block Cuba's membership unless the Government of Cuba improved its human rights record and undertook political and economic reforms.

Canada

Canada's relations with Cuba continued their deterioration in February after the Cuban Government abused Canada's hospitality when Cuban spy José Imperatori was expelled from the United States. Ottawa had allowed the diplomat to transit Canada en route to Cuba after the State Department declared him persona non grata and the FBI removed him from U.S. territory. Imperatori attempted to stay in the Cuban embassy in Ottawa and only left after the Canadian Government expressed that the situation could further worsen already deteriorating Canadian-Cuban relations.

The European Union

In June, the General Affairs Council reconfirmed without discussion the EU's Common Position for an additional 6 months. The GAC stated, "There have been no changes [over the past 6 months] in conditions in the country that would justify a modification of the EU strategy toward Cuba."

The new European Commission leadership demonstrated its commitment to the U.S.-EU Understanding, including meeting with U.S. Congressional leaders and reiterating the EU's support for full implementation of the provisions on discouraging investment in expropriated property.

In a February 16 speech to the European Parliament, European Commissioner Chris Patten cited the human rights situation in Cuba as a particular concern. He stated the Commission's desire to see "a fair and open society in Cuba. A Cuba which respects the principles of the market, the sanctity of contract and the rule of law. We want to encourage a process of transition to democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Support for Dissidents

European officials visiting Cuba continued to meet with dissidents and press the Government of Cuba to undertake reforms and respect the basic human rights of Cuban citizens.

European NGOs continue to monitor the human rights situation in Cuba and offer support for democratic and economic change.

Arrest of the Dissidents Working Group

Governments, organizations, and individuals throughout the world continued to express concern, both publicly and privately, about the Cuban Government's arrest and detention of the four leaders of the Dissident Working Group -- Martha Beatriz Roque, Vladimiro Roca, Felix Bonne, and Rene Gomez Manzano. They were arrested in 1997 for publishing a document entitled "The Fatherland Belongs to All," which criticized Cuba's one-party system and called for democratic change. On March 1, a closed trial was held. On March 15, the four dissident leaders were convicted of sedition and sentenced to prison terms of 3½ to 5 years. The trial, conviction, and sentencing of these brave leaders brought widespread condemnation from throughout the world. International pressure may have contributed to the Cuban Government's release of three of the four dissidents (all but Vladimiro Roca) in May 2000.

NGO's and Human Rights Organizations

Non-governmental organizations, human rights organizations, political parties, and other independent groups outside of Cuba continued to press for human rights and democratic change in Cuba.

Press Commentary

The European news media has continued its stepped-up focus and commentary on Cuba's repressive human rights measures. Many editorials in respected newspapers from the left, center, and right have called for democracy and human rights in Cuba. Most notably in Spain and the Netherlands, media coverage exhibited an increasing focus on human rights abuses in Cuba and was more critical of Castro.

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