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EIZENSTAT STATEMENT ON CLINTON SUSPENSION OF HELMS-BURTON
(President's decision promotes goal of Cuban democracy)
Jan. 16, 1998

Statement by Stuart E. Eizenstat
Under Secretary for Economic, Agricultural, and Business Affairs
United States Department of State
January 16, 1998

The President has today announced his decision to exercise the authority granted to him under the Libertad Act and suspend for another six months the lawsuit provisions of Title III of the Act. In doing so, the president took into account significant steps made during the past year in Europe and Latin America to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba.

In 1996, the president launched a multilateral approach to promote democracy in Cuba. I have been pleased to work with the president in this important endeavor. The international community is united as never before in sending a concerted message to the Cuban government that there must be peaceful democratic change.

The European Union and its Member States have taken several important steps to promote democracy in Cuba. The ELI lodged formal objections to the Government of Cuba over its arrest of leading dissidents in July. In October, the EU formed the "Human Rights working Group" to monitor the human rights situation in Cuba and develop contacts with the opposition. On October 25, the Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation to the U.S. Congress called for Cuba to hold free elections, legalize political parties, abolish political crimes, release political prisoners, and end the harassment and punishment of dissidents. On December 12, the ELI reaffirmed its commitment to the Common position linking improved relations with Cuba to democratization there.

While continuing to vote against the U.S. embargo of Cuba in the United Nations General Assembly, the European Union issued a statement on November 5 strongly condemning Cuba's human rights record, noting concern about the "persistent absence of progress towards democracy," "non-respect for political rights," "increasing violations of civil and political rights," and "harassment of those who seek to bring democracy to Cuba by peaceful means." EU nations unanimously supported the U.S. resolution on human rights in Cuba.

On November 9 in Venezuela, several leaders at the Ibero-American summit -- the annual meeting of heads of state of Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations -- called on Cuba to democratize. Spanish Prime Minister Aznar demanded that all Ibero-American nations respect democratic principles. The president of Argentina and the President of Nicaragua, with whom I met during a Central American visit in August, openly criticized the Cuban government. The Foreign Ministers of El Salvador and Nicaragua, with whom I also met in August, publicly criticized Fidel Castro for not fulfilling the commitment to democratization he made at the 1996 Summit.

In addition to these governmental steps, non-governmental groups have been increasingly active. In August, Amnesty international issued a 38 page report entitled "Cuba: Renewed Crackdown on peaceful Government Critics," which documented the Cuban government's campaign against those who work for human rights or democracy. On August 5, the American Bar Association gave its annual "international Human Rights Award" to Dr. Rene Gomez Manzano and Dr. Leonel Morejon Almagro, two members of the Dissident Working Group in Cuba. Unfortunately, Dr. Gomez Manzano and Dr. Morejon Almagro were unable to receive the awards personally because they were unjustly imprisoned in Cuba.

The Dutch NGO, Pax Christi, has continued its leading efforts to focus attention on human rights in Cuba. In July, it released "Advice of Fax Christi Netherlands Regarding the Visit of the Holy Father to Cuba," which noted the "state of spiritual, moral and economic deprivation that the Cubans have to live in," and publicized the goal of gaining international recognition for Cuba's internal, non-violent opposition.

Pax Christi sponsored the second "European Platform for Democracy and Human Rights in Cuba," in Rome on November 29. The conference communique said that in Cuba "human rights are systematically violated," affirmed the importance of the ELI Common Position, rejected "European tourism to Cuba of the kind that implies sexual abuse of youngsters," and urged European investors to subscribe to the "Arcos Principles" that include guarantees of Cuban, workers rights. I initially met with Pax Christi in the Netherlands in 1996. We greatly respect the independent work that Pax Christi has done.

Increased momentum in support of "best business practices," such as the Arcos principles, represents a heightened awareness and concern among the private sector for human rights and democratic principles in Cuba. For example, the Trans Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) at its conference in Rome on November 6-7 advanced the work it had begun last year. This annual conference of U.S. and European business leaders called for businesses to adhere to "best business practices" in every country in which they operate and stated support for "the objectives of promoting democracy, combating terrorism, and safeguarding fundamental human rights." In my remarks to the conference, I highlighted the application of these principles to Cuba.

On January 7 in Washington, D.C., I spoke at a conference organized by the North American Committee of the National Policy Association, representing over 100 business, labor, and academic leaders from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. The conference explored ways to advance the implementation of the "principles for Private Sector Involvement in Cuba."

The progress we have made since we began this process in 1996 is nothing less than remarkable. Back then, the U.S. was isolated on the Cuba issue and there was little international pressure on Cuba to change. Now, with President Clinton's leadership, after intensive diplomatic efforts, governments, NGO's, and the private sector are speaking out publicly and pressuring the Cuban government as never before. This progress could not have been made without the thorough and effective consultations we have carried on with the Congress.

We remain firmly committed to pursuing and intensifying our efforts to promote democracy in Cuba. We will continue to work with our friends and allies and will consult closely with Congress on ways to best bring about peaceful democratic change in Cuba.