Text
PLEASE RESPOND TO:
JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEV
W.A.SH1NGlON OfflC(
9TH D1STRICT, MASSACHUSETTS
235 CANNOf~ BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
COMMITIEE ON RULES
1202) 225--8273
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER
FAX: 12021 22!>-3984
JOHN WEINFURTER
eosrm~ OFFICE
CHIE.f OF ST AfF
WORLD TRADE CENTER
WASHINGTON
FREDERICK W. CLARK
SUITE 220
Qtongress of tbe mlnitcb ~tates
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
BOSTON
April 12, 1995
80ST0>1, MA 02210
{617) 56!>-2920
1617) 439-5460
FAX: 1617) 439-5157
Jf)ouse of 3Represcntati\Jcs
Mtazbington, tJBQI: 20515-2109
Bill Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
0
4 COURT SlREET
TAUNW>I, MA 02780
{508) 824-6676
0
BROCKTON FEDERAL BUILDING
166 MAIN STREET
BROCKTON, MA 02401
1508) 586-5555
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to express my very deep concern over our
government's policy towards Cuba and current efforts in the
Congress to make that policy more restrictive. It is my view
that our policy is outdated and is only serving to prolong the
reign of Fidel Castro.
While I do not question the lofty motives of those in the
Administration and those in the Congress who seek to tighten
economic and diplomatic sanctions against Cuba, I do question the
wisdom and effectiveness of such moves.
we have tried for over three decades to force Mr. Castro from
power by maintaining a tight economic embargo on his country.
But, that embargo has failed to hasten Castro's departure and has
failed to fuel the type of internal pressures to advance the
democratic reforms that so many of us want to see.
Instead, the embargo has encouraged and strengthened the
sentiments of nationalism in Cuba, provoked an increase in
immigration to the United States -- and it has provided Mr.
Castro with the perfect excuse to justify the failures of his
system.
I strongly support members of the Cuban exile community here
in the United States who have courageously and steadfastly
reminded the world of Mr. Castro's atrocious record on human
rights. And I have joined with them on many occasions
petitioning the Cuban government on behalf of political prisoners
and to urge a greater respect for human rights.
The u.s. state Department's current human rights report and
the 1995 Human Rights Watch Report document quite clearly the
severity of the human rights situation in Cuba. From systematic
harassment of political dissidents to arbitrary arrests -- the
Cuban people continue to suffer.
Letter to President Clinton
page 2
But other than congressional letters and moral appeals, we
have little power to monitor, investigate or influence the human
rights situation because we have almost no formal communications
with the Cuban government.
Proponents of a more hard line policy towards Cuba have
argued that more sanctions and more saber-rattling will produce
the necessary chaos to force Castro's retirement and thereby fix
all that's wrong about Cuba.
But, the way I see it, more chaos
is not what Cuba or its people need.
Chaos, turmoil or civil war will not necessarily mean
democracy, better respect for human rights or freedom for Cuba.
More chaos could mean bloodshed; it could mean strengthening
Castro; it could mean replacing him with a dictator on the right;
or it could mean more refugees fleeing the island for the United
states.
The late President Nixon, in his last book, wrote, "The plain
fact is that ... the hard line against (Mr. Castro) has failed to
get rid of him." The best hope for doing that, he added, is "to
build pressure from within by actively stimulating Cuba's
contacts with the free world."
I believe our former President was exactly right.
The best way for us to push for democratic reforms and impact
the human rights situation in Cuba is through negotiations and
economic relations.
It is not by continuing a policy that has
not worked for over 30 years.
It is my view that democratic transitional government and
democratic elections will more likely occur if the United States
exposes Cubans to the id$as of democracy and free trade.
Past history has demonstrated that the most efficient road to
democracy is exposure not isolation. A perfect example of this
is the former Soviet Union -- in which individual contact through
academic exchange programs, relaxed travel restrictions and free
trade promoted a legitimate democratic movement.
In addition, ultimately easing trade restrictions with Cuba
will provide numerous opportunities for businesses -- from
Massachusetts to California -- to expand trade, increase their
profits and create jobs.
Currently, some of our closest allies,
including Israel, Spain, Canada and Japan have active business
and trade operations with Cuba -- while U.S. businesses, only 90
miles away, are limited to exploratory missions.
Letter to President Clinton
page 3
If current efforts to tighten the trade restrictions are
enacted in this Congress, the U.S. business community will
continue to be at a disadvantage in a country that is at our
doorstep. studies have shown that close to $2 billion could be
gained in U.S. exports to Cuba. In addition, Cuba has an
untapped market of 11 million people, as well as a highly
educated work force that could easily adapt to U.S. product and
service industries.
I would respectfully suggest that the Administration begin
the process of exploring an alternative to our current Cuban
policy and commence formal negotiations with the Cuban government
aimed at normalizing relations. I believe, at this late date,
such a course makes the most sense for the Cuban people and for
the United states.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEV
W.A.SH1NGlON OfflC(
9TH D1STRICT, MASSACHUSETTS
235 CANNOf~ BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
COMMITIEE ON RULES
1202) 225--8273
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER
FAX: 12021 22!>-3984
JOHN WEINFURTER
eosrm~ OFFICE
CHIE.f OF ST AfF
WORLD TRADE CENTER
WASHINGTON
FREDERICK W. CLARK
SUITE 220
Qtongress of tbe mlnitcb ~tates
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
BOSTON
April 12, 1995
80ST0>1, MA 02210
{617) 56!>-2920
1617) 439-5460
FAX: 1617) 439-5157
Jf)ouse of 3Represcntati\Jcs
Mtazbington, tJBQI: 20515-2109
Bill Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
0
4 COURT SlREET
TAUNW>I, MA 02780
{508) 824-6676
0
BROCKTON FEDERAL BUILDING
166 MAIN STREET
BROCKTON, MA 02401
1508) 586-5555
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to express my very deep concern over our
government's policy towards Cuba and current efforts in the
Congress to make that policy more restrictive. It is my view
that our policy is outdated and is only serving to prolong the
reign of Fidel Castro.
While I do not question the lofty motives of those in the
Administration and those in the Congress who seek to tighten
economic and diplomatic sanctions against Cuba, I do question the
wisdom and effectiveness of such moves.
we have tried for over three decades to force Mr. Castro from
power by maintaining a tight economic embargo on his country.
But, that embargo has failed to hasten Castro's departure and has
failed to fuel the type of internal pressures to advance the
democratic reforms that so many of us want to see.
Instead, the embargo has encouraged and strengthened the
sentiments of nationalism in Cuba, provoked an increase in
immigration to the United States -- and it has provided Mr.
Castro with the perfect excuse to justify the failures of his
system.
I strongly support members of the Cuban exile community here
in the United States who have courageously and steadfastly
reminded the world of Mr. Castro's atrocious record on human
rights. And I have joined with them on many occasions
petitioning the Cuban government on behalf of political prisoners
and to urge a greater respect for human rights.
The u.s. state Department's current human rights report and
the 1995 Human Rights Watch Report document quite clearly the
severity of the human rights situation in Cuba. From systematic
harassment of political dissidents to arbitrary arrests -- the
Cuban people continue to suffer.
Letter to President Clinton
page 2
But other than congressional letters and moral appeals, we
have little power to monitor, investigate or influence the human
rights situation because we have almost no formal communications
with the Cuban government.
Proponents of a more hard line policy towards Cuba have
argued that more sanctions and more saber-rattling will produce
the necessary chaos to force Castro's retirement and thereby fix
all that's wrong about Cuba.
But, the way I see it, more chaos
is not what Cuba or its people need.
Chaos, turmoil or civil war will not necessarily mean
democracy, better respect for human rights or freedom for Cuba.
More chaos could mean bloodshed; it could mean strengthening
Castro; it could mean replacing him with a dictator on the right;
or it could mean more refugees fleeing the island for the United
states.
The late President Nixon, in his last book, wrote, "The plain
fact is that ... the hard line against (Mr. Castro) has failed to
get rid of him." The best hope for doing that, he added, is "to
build pressure from within by actively stimulating Cuba's
contacts with the free world."
I believe our former President was exactly right.
The best way for us to push for democratic reforms and impact
the human rights situation in Cuba is through negotiations and
economic relations.
It is not by continuing a policy that has
not worked for over 30 years.
It is my view that democratic transitional government and
democratic elections will more likely occur if the United States
exposes Cubans to the id$as of democracy and free trade.
Past history has demonstrated that the most efficient road to
democracy is exposure not isolation. A perfect example of this
is the former Soviet Union -- in which individual contact through
academic exchange programs, relaxed travel restrictions and free
trade promoted a legitimate democratic movement.
In addition, ultimately easing trade restrictions with Cuba
will provide numerous opportunities for businesses -- from
Massachusetts to California -- to expand trade, increase their
profits and create jobs.
Currently, some of our closest allies,
including Israel, Spain, Canada and Japan have active business
and trade operations with Cuba -- while U.S. businesses, only 90
miles away, are limited to exploratory missions.
Letter to President Clinton
page 3
If current efforts to tighten the trade restrictions are
enacted in this Congress, the U.S. business community will
continue to be at a disadvantage in a country that is at our
doorstep. studies have shown that close to $2 billion could be
gained in U.S. exports to Cuba. In addition, Cuba has an
untapped market of 11 million people, as well as a highly
educated work force that could easily adapt to U.S. product and
service industries.
I would respectfully suggest that the Administration begin
the process of exploring an alternative to our current Cuban
policy and commence formal negotiations with the Cuban government
aimed at normalizing relations. I believe, at this late date,
such a course makes the most sense for the Cuban people and for
the United states.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,