05 January 1999
(Six fact sheets outline policies on direct mail, etc.) (2600) WASHINGTON -- In order to expose additional elements of Cuban society to democratic practices, the Clinton administration will encourage further religious, scientific, educational, athletic and other exchanges between the United States and Cuba, says Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Briefing reporters January 5 at the State Department, Albright said these increased exchanges will be accomplished by streamlining visa and licensing procedures for travel between Cuba and the United States by qualified persons other than senior Cuban government officials. In addition, she said, U.S. citizens and nongovernmental 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. Albright emphasized that "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." The following is the text of Albright's remarks, followed by a series of fact sheets on U.S. policies covering food sales, remittances, direct flights, people-to-people contacts, direct mail, and public diplomacy: (begin text) SECRETARY ALBRIGHT'S STATEMENT ON CUBA January 5, 1999 Good afternoon. 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 non-governmental 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. 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 arc 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. FACT SHEET: FOOD SALES U.S. Policy: -- On January 5 the President announced his decision to authorize licensing of sales of food and agricultural inputs to independent entities in Cuba. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to assist and support the Cuban people without strengthening the regime. Our objective, building on the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba and following up on the measures we announced last March 20, in to promote the development and evolution of peaceful independent activity and civil society. This will help promote a transition to a free, independent, and prosperous nation, and will help prepare the Cuban people for that goal. New Measures: -- Licensing, on a case-by-case basis, sales of food to entities independent of the Cuban government. This could include religious groups, private restaurants, and other such entities. -- Licensing, on a case-by-case basis, the sales of agricultural inputs to entities independent of the Cuban government. This could include private farmers, farmers in cooperatives raising food for sale in private markets, and other such entities. -- U.S. Government financing for such exports will not be authorized. -- The Departments of Commerce, the Treasury, and State will develop licensing procedures in the coming weeks. Background: -- Sales of food and agricultural inputs were suspended in 1963. -- Sales to independent entities and non-governmental organizations will be licensed as a way to promote the development of activity independent of the government in order to encourage a peaceful democratic transition. -- The embargo remains in place, except for licensed activity, and will continue to be enforced. FACT SHEET: REMITTANCES U.S. Policy: -- On January 5 the President announced his decision to expand legal remittances to the Cuban people. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without strengthening the regime. Our objective, building on the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba, is to support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society in order to help promote a transition to a free, independent, and democratic state. New Measures: -- Under a general license, any U.S. citizen will be authorized to send up to $300 each quarter of the year to any Cuban family, except for senior-level Cuban government and communist party officials. Cuban-Americana will continue to be permitted to send remittances to family members. -- Remittances may be sent for humanitarian purposes, i.e., to support Cuban families. -- 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. -- The Departments of the Treasury and State will develop licensing and monitoring procedures. Background: -- Legal remittances by Cuban-Americans to close family members in Cuba for humanitarian purposes were reinstituted in March 1998. -- Many Cubans are able to meet the most basic necessities of life for their families only by receiving humanitarian packages and financial assistance from relatives in the U.S. -- Expanding remittances helps promote greater individual freedom. Recipients will be less dependent on the state and less subject to its economic pressures. -- Expanding remittances beyond close family members of Cuban-Americans to other Cubans helps them for humanitarian purposes, reduces their dependence on the State and promotes independent civil society. FACT SHEET: DIRECT FLIGHTS U.S. Policy: -- On January 5 the President announced his decision to expand direct passenger charter flights to Cuba. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without strengthening the regime. Our objective, building on the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba, is to support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society in order to help the Cuban people prepare for a transition to a free, independent, and prosperous nation. New Measures: -- In addition to the existing licensed direct passenger charter flights to Havana from Miami, departures from some other U.S. cities will be authorized. In order to facilitate the licensed travel of individuals whose relatives live outside of Havana, direct flights will also be authorized to Cuban cities other than Havana. -- The Departments of the Treasury, Commerce, and State will develop implementing procedures in the coming weeks, and will continue to license qualified carrier service providers. Background: -- The U.S. is expanding direct passenger charter flights as a way to facilitate family reunification and to promote people-to-people exchanges through licensed travel. -- This will promote the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society within Cuba, -- Travelers on all fights must he licensed. In addition to persons travelling once a year to visit close relatives, by far the largest category, other licensable travel includes persons travelling for clearly defined religious or educational activities, cultural activities, persons belonging to recognized human rights organizations and other non-governmental groups, journalists, and official U.S. Government travelers, among others. FACT SHEET: INCREASED PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACTS U.S. Policy: -- On January 5 the President announced his decision to expand people-to- people contacts. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without strengthening the regime. Our objective, building an the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba, is to support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society in order to help the Cuban people prepare for a transition to a free, independent, and prosperous nation. New Measures: -- We wish to encourage an expansion of educational, cultural, humanitarian, religious, journalistic and athletic exchange, and other appropriate people-to-people contacts. For example, the Baltimore Oriole's organization will be licensed to explore the possibility of playing exhibition games where profits would benefit Caritas-Cuba. -- These people-to-people contacts will be expanded in two ways: by facilitating travel of persons from Cuba to the U.S. who qualify for visas; and by streamlining licensing procedures for qualified U.S. persons travelling to Cuba. -- Travel from Cuba to the U.S.: Qualified Cubans who are not senior members of the Cuban government or party will continue to be given visas. The visa process will be streamlined and accelerated. -- Travel to Cuba from the U.S.: Licensing procedures will be streamlined for qualified U.S. persons travelling to Cuba. We will also develop procedures to license multiple visits for qualified individuals and groups in the above mentioned categories. Travel for recreation or tourism, or travel otherwise in contravention of the embargo, continues to be prohibited. -- The Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State will develop licensing procedures. Background: -- Expanding educational, cultural, journalistic, athletic, religious and humanitarian exchanges to and from Cuba will facilitate people-to-people-contacts, specifically supporting the development of peaceful activities in Cuba independent of the Cuban government and promoting a peaceful transition to democracy. -- The revised visa procedures are not intended to expand contacts or relations between the U.S. and Cuban governments. Visa applications by senior-level Cuban officials will continue to be reviewed in Washington on a case-by-case basis. FACT SHEET: DIRECT MAIL U.S. Policy: -- On January 5 the President announced his decision to seek to re-establish direct mail service with Cuba. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without supporting the regime. Our objective, building on the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba, in to support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society in order to help the Cuban people prepare for a transition to a free, independent, and prosperous nation. New measures: -- The U.S. Government will contact the Cuban government to work out the details of establishing direct mail service. Background: -- Direct mail between the U.S. and Cuba is authorized by the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992. It was suspended in 1962. -- Currently mail is sent to and from Cuba via third countries, causing significant delays and sometimes losses. -- Establishing direct mail will facilitate people-to-people contacts, and will significantly expand the flow of information to the Cuban people. FACT SHEET: INCREASED PUBLIC DIPLOMACY U.S. Policy: -- The U.S. has an active public diplomacy effort around the world focusing on the deplorable human rights situation in Cuba. -- As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without supporting the regime, support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society. The U.S. will intensify efforts to bring the reality of Cuba to the attention of the world public opinion and world governments. New Measures: -- USIA will study alternative broadcast sites in order to try to improve reception of Radio Marti and TV Marti. -- We will be seek to identify funding for a new aerostat for TV Marti broadcasts to Cuba. -- A new Presidential Advisory board on Broadcasting to Cuba will be named. -- USIA and State Department will enhance public diplomacy programs to better inform Latin America and the EU countries on the reality of Cuba today. (end text)