Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

U.S. POLICY TOWARD CUBA: A COMPILATION OF OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
(Statements cover issues from human rights to migration)

U.S. Interests Section
Havana, Cuba
January 1998

BASIC POLICY: TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL CHANGE FROM WITHIN

"The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act reconfirms the United States policy 'that the self-determination of the Cuban people is a sovereign and national right of the citizens of Cuba which must be exercised free of interference by the government of any other country.' Thus, while a peaceful transition and an expeditious economic recovery in Cuba will serve the interests of both the American and Cuban people, the timing, nature and course of the Cuban transition must be determined by the Cuban people themselves [emphasis added]." White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

"The policy of the United States is...[not to provide favorable treatment or influence on behalf of any individual or entity in the selection by the Cuban people of their future government." Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (commonly known as Helms-Burton), Title II, Section 201

"The Administration believes that change in Cuba must come from within, led by Cubans on the island who recognize the problems and injustices of the current system and challenge them...I want to stress that the United States does not support violence as a means of achieving political change, and does not support organizations that advocate violence. You are well aware of the recent bombings of hotels in Havana. The United States has strongly condemned these violent acts and will continue to condemn the use of terrorism. Violence will not contribute to the effort to bring peaceful democratic change to Cuba, nor will it help create the foundations and institutions for a society and a government respectful of the rule of law and human rights." Michael Ranneberger, Coordinator, Office of Cuban Affairs, Department of State, Aug. 11, 1997

THE U.S. INTEREST IN PEACEFUL CHANGE:

AVOIDING CHAOS AND MASS MIGRATION

"Regarding Cuba, the United States remains committed to promoting a peaceful transition to democracy and forestalling a mass migration exodus that would endanger the lives of migrants and safety of our nation. While maintaining pressure on the regime to make political and economic reforms, we seek to encourage the emergence of a civil society to assist transition to democracy when the change comes. A growing optimism among Cubans that positive change is possible also helps discourage illegal migration. And, as the Cuban people feel greater incentive to take charge of their future, they are more likely to stay at home and build the informal and formal structures that will make transition easier. " The White House: "A National Security Strategy for A New Century;" May, 1997

THE U.S. RESPONSE TO SERIOUS REFORMS IN CUBA

"I supported [The Cuba Democracy Act which]... enabled the president not only to have a tougher economic embargo, but also to open up with Cuba, to have a gradually evolving relationship. And I was working on that until they illegally shot down those two planes and basically murdered those people that were in those two planes, which led the Congress to pass the present law. So we're at an impasse now. I still want that kind of relationship with Cuba, but we have to have some kind of indication that there will be an opening up, a movement toward democracy and openness and freedom if we're going to do that... It can't be a one-way street. There has to be some sense that there is an evolution going on in Cuba, and it can turn into a modern state. Keep in mind, it is now the only country in our entire hemisphere that is not a democracy. And that is a very significant thing." President William J. Clinton, NBC "Meet the Press" November 9, 1997

"The United States...would very much like to have a different policy with Cuba if we saw some different actions coming out of Cuba. [But]...it is important for us to know that the way that Castro treats his own citizens is totally out of step with what is happening in the rest of the world...We are prepared when we see some different actions coming out of Cuba to have a look at our own policy, but we need actions out of Castro." Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, June 8, 1997

"We  do have the Libertad Act...which lays out certain conditions for democratic  transition. But having said that, I think that there are many people in the Congress as well as  other  circles who would say and have said,  publicly,  on a number of occasions that if there were to be a process of fundamental change, fundamental changes occurring in Cuba, it would be possible to respond to those. No law is set in  stone,  of  course,  nor is any  policy... I don't want to make it an issue of Fidel Castro. We make it an issue of the Cuban government. If the Cuban government is prepared to initiate fundamental changes, there will be a response. So it's not a question of one man. The Libertad Act mentions Castro specifically, but, again, you only need to look to public statements that have been made by people in the Congress who have said that if there is fundamental change which begins in Cuba, things can be considered." Michael Ranneberger, Coordinator, Office of Cuban Affairs, Department of State,Press Conference in Havana, June 10, 1997

"Once Cuba has a transition government -- that is, a government committed to the establishment of a fully democratic, pluralistic society -- the United States will be prepared to begin normalizing relations and provide assistance to support Cuba's transition. Economic sanctions will be suspended and negotiations will be initiated to promote bilateral trade relations. To normalize relations fully with a democratic government in Cuba, the United States is also prepared to enter into negotiations to either return the Naval Base at Guantanamo to Cuba or to renegotiate the present agreement under mutually agreeable terms."
White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

WHAT CONSTITUTES FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

Inherent in the U.S. view of fundamental change in Cuba and included in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act as criteria for determining a transition government are such steps as:

-- release of all political prisoners and access to Cuban prisons by appropriate international humanitarian organizations;

-- respecting internationally recognized human rights and basic freedoms as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Cuba is a signatory nation;

-- establishing an independent judiciary;

-- dissolving the present Department of State Security in the Cuban Ministry of the Interior;

-- allowing the establishment of independent trade unions and independent social, economic, and political associations;

-- making public commitments to organizing free and fair elections for a new government to be held in a timely manner and with the participation of multiple independent political parties that have full access to the media on an equal basis.

U.S. POLICY TOWARD CUBA: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

TRUE OR FALSE? THE U.S. WOULD IMPOSE AN UNFAIR SETTLEMENT OF PROPERTY CLAIMS ON CUBA; IF THE U.S. GETS ITS WAY, CUBANS WILL BE EVICTED FORM THEIR HOMES.

FALSE. "Like many other transition countries, Cuba will...face the task of resolving the legacy of property confiscations in order to build the confidence of citizens and foreign investors alike that property rights will be protected in Cuba in the future. By promptly initiating a process to clearly identify who are the recognized owners of property, and by acknowledging the intent to provide some form of compensation to legitimate claimants who will not have their property returned, Cuba can minimize the scope and period of ownership uncertainty that can impede property exchanges and investment."

"The small farmer or homeowner who has acquired rights to previously confiscated property will expect a transition government to give due consideration to his acquired rights as it pursues resolution of legitimate property claims."

"It will be up to the transition government to determine the circumstances under which it is advantageous to restore properties to former owners versus providing compensation [emphasis added]. Common considerations include equity concerns for those who have acquired competing rights to property, the length of time required to clarify ownership under both approaches, and the government's interest in seeing productive property put to economic use. The transition government will have the challenge of balancing these concerns in order to avoid dislocation or hardship for ordinary citizens while laying the foundations for economic growth." Excerpts from the White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

"For purposes of Title III of this Act [the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, commonly known as "Helms-Burton"], the term 'property' does not include real property used for residential purposes, unless, as of the date of the enactment of this Act --

(i) the claim to the property is held by a United States national and the claim has been certified under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949; or

(ii) the property is occupied by an official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba [defined as any member of the Council of Ministers, Council of State, central committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, or the Politburo of Cuba, or their equivalents.]

... The term 'traffics' does not include ... transactions and uses of property by a person who is both a citizen of Cuba and a resident of Cuba, and who is not an official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba." Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, Section 4, Definitions

TRUE OR FALSE? TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY MEANS GIVING UP CUBA'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE.

FALSE. Democracy simply means electing the government that pursues the policies the people want. Democracy is compatible with a variety of social welfare and economic policies, including free education and universal health care, as practiced in a number of democratic countries.

"[S]ome Cubans have reservations about a transition in Cuba, fostered by the regime's negative depictions of other transitions and by its claims that transition or democratic governments in Cuba would not be concerned with issues of national sovereignty, justice, equity, reconciliation and social welfare. Yet supporters and opponents of the present regime should both agree that these are broadly held values in the Cuban population, and thus they can be expected to be guiding principles of transition and democratic governments.

"Personal concerns regarding a transition may vary. The pensioner may be concerned about further erosion of his pension. For him, a transition means a healthier economy in which the productively employed generate sufficient resources to provide improved living standards for the entire population, including pensioners. The worker, having seen real reductions in his wages or the disappearance of his job, can expect that a transition will increase job opportunities and that independent trade unions and effective labor laws will protect his interests and allow him to share the benefits of a growing market economy. Should he become unemployed for a period during the transition, he can expect that reasonable unemployment benefits and services will be available to him... Citizens will expect their transition and democratic governments to revitalize health and education services, improving quality while ensuring basic coverage for the population...As the transition and democratic governments seek to fulfill these expectations, the necessary international support will be available to help them do so."
White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

TRUE OR FALSE? "THERE IS NO ROLE FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN CUBA'S FUTURE."

FALSE. "Although the Cuban armed forces constitute one of the most important pillars at the present regime in Cuba, they could potentially play a positive role in Cuba's transition. The militaries in other former communist countries have acquiesced or actually assisted in democratic transitions. These militaries have found that their core professional interests need not be threatened by the advent of democracy and the withdrawal of the military from non-military functions, such as internal security and economic activities.

A professional military that is sized to Cuba's needs, supportive of a civilian democratic government, and respectful of human rights can expect to participate in the Inter-American Defense Board, be welcomed to participate in international peace keeping efforts and benefit from an array of military-to-military cooperation arrangements, including with the United States."
White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

TRUE OR FALSE? CUBA IS WELL-POSITIONED TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY AND A MARKET ECONOMY.

TRUE. "Cuba has excellent prospects for achieving sustained economic growth following a transition. First of all, it can benefit from the accumulated transition experiences of other Western Hemisphere and former Soviet bloc countries. The lessons learned from the Soviet bloc transitions have been presented in the World Bank's recently released World Development Report 1996, From Plan to Market. One of the principal observations in the report was the direct correlation between outward looking, liberal economic policies, and new growth and prosperity. The report noted that the transition countries studied typically returned to growth after three years of sustained liberalization.

"As Cuba has already undergone the shock from the collapse of COMECON trade, the adjustment period for Cuba following commencement of sustained economic liberalization is likely to be shorter than that experienced by other former Soviet bloc countries. Also, the smaller size of the heavy industry sector in the Cuban economy relative to most of the former Soviet bloc countries should reduce the amount of additional economic dislocation due to adjustment problems common to this sector. Cuba's proximity to the United States market and its location in the heart of a rapidly growing trading region can provide an impetus to growth. The importance of this factor has been amply demonstrated by the former COMECON countries of Central Europe whose growth has been stimulated by rapidly expanding trade and investment with the European Union.

"Cuba has a number of other advantages that many of the former Soviet bloc countries lacked. It is a relatively well-integrated society with a single language. Although there are racial tensions in Cuba, they are not comparable to the serious ethnic divisions that have plagued a number of transition countries. Cuba has a relatively educated, flexible, and mobile workforce that can be readily absorbed into new economic activities, and the Cuban people demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Cuba will also be able to draw upon the support of a large overseas Cuban community with extensive business and technical expertise, market connections, investment capital and a commitment to help their families and fellow Cubans on the island. Finally, a Cuba in transition can count on the strong bilateral and multilateral support from the United States due to the clear U.S. national interest in having a stable, prosperous and democratic neighbor."
White House Report to Congress, "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba," Jan. 28, 1997

QUESTION: WHY DOES THE U.S. TREAT CUBA DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES, SUCH AS CHINA?

ANSWER: "For one thing, the Chinese have shown a willingness to not only engage us, but to open up and to work with us. Of course, we have differences with both China and Cuba on human rights and their political system... China agreed to cooperate with us in nuclear matters and to stop transfer of nuclear technologies to dangerous states. China agreed to work with us aggressively to try to solve the problem on the Korean peninsula. China has agreed to an energy and environmental endeavor with us, which is very important in our effort to limit greenhouse gases globally. And for people who are concerned about human rights, China agreed to continue to work with us in developing rule-of-law systems, which eventually will clearly lead to the protection of individual rights, not just economic rights, but other rights as well." President William J. Clinton, NBC "Meet the Press" November 9, 1997