cont'd from p.43

Bush and Gore speak on Elián

In the Presidential primaries, only Republican hopeful Pat Buchanan voiced objections to the US embargo on Cuba. As November approaches, the two remaining candidates have continued to defer to special interests in the Cuban-American community. Both have received funds from hardline representatives of the Cuban American community, and continue to let this domestic constituency dominate their foreign policy. The following quotes taken in late March regarding the case of Elián Gonzalez demonstrate how the presidential candidates view Cuba.

“Elián’s mother gave her life in the hopes that her son would have a better life in freedom. We still do not know what Elián’s father really wants, and we will not until he and his family are allowed to come to America to freely express their will. I urge Attorney General Janet Reno to reconsider her plans to send Elián back to Cuba, back to the place his mother died trying to escape. This case should be decided by a Florida family court, which will protect the best interests of Elián, not by a Clinton-Gore Justice Department whose record of putting politics ahead of the law does not inspire confidence.”

-George W. Bush

“The father is not free to speak his true mind. What is his true feeling? We know what the mother’s true feeling was. She lost her life in trying to get freedom for her son. This child should never have been put in the position where the choice was freedom or his father. The real fault here lies with Fidel Castro, and I think we need due process according to laws of the United States of America. I think what we still need is a full and fair hearing based on due process, where all the parties can present the facts — not based on politics, not based on diplomacy — [but] based on due process of what is in the best interest of the child.”

-Al Gore

Party Platform Planks on Cuba

Republican

“In Cuba, Fidel Castro continues to impose communist economic controls and absolute political repression of 11 million Cubans. His regime harasses and jails dissidents, restricts economic activity, and forces Cubans into the sea in a desperate bid for freedom. He gives refuge to fugitives from American justice, hosts a sophisticated Russian espionage facility that intercepts U.S. government and private communications, and has ordered his air force to shoot down two unarmed U.S. civilian airplanes thereby killing American citizens.

“U.S. policy toward Cuba should be based upon sound, clear principles. Our economic and political relations will change when the Cuban regime frees all prisoners of conscience, legalizes peaceful protest, allows opposition political activity, permits free expression and commits to democratic elections. This policy will be strengthened by active American support for Cuban dissidents. Under no circumstances should Republicans support any subsidy of Castro’s Cuba or any other terrorist state.

“Republicans also support a continued effort to promote freedom and democracy by communicating objective and uncensored news and information to the Cuban people via U.S. broadcasts to the captive island. Finally, Republicans believe that the United States should adhere to the principles established by the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, which recognizes the rights of Cuban refugees fleeing communist tyranny.”

Democratic

“We aim to rededicate ourselves to the defense of democracy in the Americas at a moment when it is being brought into question in Peru and absent on the island of Cuba. We will continue to work with Haiti to deepen the roots of democracy that we helped replant. We will continue to press for human rights, the rule of law and political freedom.

“To accomplish this, we need the right tools. Al Gore and the Democratic Party support continued funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, Radio Liberty, Radio Europe, Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti, and other efforts to promote democracy and the free flow of ideas.”