File #3576: "DI-1322_ref.pdf"

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JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY

PLEASE RESPOND TO:

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235 CANNON BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
1202) 225-8273
FAX: 1202) 225-3984

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9TH DISTRICT, MASSACHUSETIS

WORLD TRADE CENTER
SUITE 220
BOSTON, MA 02210
1617) 565-2920
I 6171 439-5460
FAX: 1617) 439-5157

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4 COURT STREET
TAUNTON, MA 02780
1508) 824-6676
FAX: (508) 880-3520

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BROCKTON FEDERAL BUILDING
166 MAIN STREET
BROCKTON, MA 02401
(508) 586--5555

COMMITIEE ON RULES
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

KEVIN RYAN
CHIEF OF STAFF

WASHINGTON

FREDERICK W. CLARK

(!Congress of tbe Wntteb ~tates

DISTRICT DtAECTOR
BOSTON

E-mail: jmoakley@hr.house.gov
URL: http://www.house.gov/moakley/welcome.html

11,ousc of l\cprcscntatibcs
mmlasbtngton, illctt 20515-2109
June 17, 1997

The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

FAX: 1508) 580--4692

Dear President Clinton:
I know that the renewal of Most Favored Nation Status for China is a vitally important initiative
for your administration. I commend your efforts to pursue an open, strategic dialogue with China
that best serves the interests of this nation. Integration, and not isolation, will give the United
States the influence necessary to work for respect of human rights, non-proliferation, the rule of
law and religious freedom in China. Revoking this trade status, and effectively cutting off
dialogue between our nations, will severely undermine our ability to work for positive change.
For these and other reasons, I will support you in the extension of MFN for China.
With the strategy of engagement as a tool to achieve the goals of our national interests in mind,
I want to respectfully point out the inconsistencies of U.S. policy towards Cuba. As you recall,
this is an issue that I discussed with you last year at the White House during the China MFN
debate. For 35 years, the United States has pursued a policy of isolationism with Cuba -- and it
hasn't worked. Even after losing the patronage of the former Soviet Union, the Castro-regime
has remained. The U.S. embargo on Cuba has not forced Castro out of power, it has not
improved Cuba's respect for human rights and it certainly has not improved the lives of Cuban
citizens. As you know, a recent study by the American Association for World Health reports that
the U.S. embargo has had a drastic effect on the health of women and children in Cuba.
In fact, Fidel Castro has frequently used the U.S. embargo to justify and explain the failures of
his system. Every time there is a food shortage, economic decline or crackdown on political
dissidents, Castro delivers one of his famous speeches blaming the U.S. embargo for the problems.
It is time for a change.
Like in China, change in Cuba will come only through open dialogue and engagement. By
exposing the island to an infusion of free enterprise, democratic ideals, and people who believe
in political freedom, I strongly believe that change will occur in Cuba. And it will occur much
quicker in Cuba than in China. Cuba, only 90 miles off our shore, is a much smaller nation, and
can embrace democracy and its ideals faster than the massive nation of China. As in the former
Soviet Union and across Eastern Europe, the spirit of capitalism will flourish. With open political
channels, the United States will have the opportunity to talk to Cuban officials about important
issues like human rights and political openness. Such engagement will in fact allow us to increase
the pressure for change in human rights and democracy. Currently, we have no avenue to pursue
this goal. Additionally, our business leaders will talk about the importance of free speech and
market reforms as precursors to the American investment that Cuba so desperately needs. The
Cuban government will be forced to accept the change that is inevitable.

THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

As you stated in your recent letter to me regarding China MFN,
"If we fail to engage China, we will fuel the very forces that trample human rights and
flaunt international rules and regimes. Over time, if we engage China -- encouraging the
evolution of the rule of law and civil society -- if contacts across borders, among people
and between governments grow; if markets expand and information flows; if we make our
differences clear; then there is a far greater likelihood that the roots of a more open society
will gain strength in China and America's interests will be served."
I would argue that the same logical strategy is true for U.S.-Cuba relations.
Therefore, Mr. President, as we debate the important issue of China's MFN renewal, I hope that
you will seriously revisit the U.S. policy toward Cuba. Certainly, if we are pursuing open
dialogues with China, North Korea and Vietnam, openness with Cuba makes sense. At a
minimum, engagement will force Castro to be more tolerant and will create a climate of reform.
And, quite possibly, open engagement might also pave the way for an end to the reign of the
Castro dictatorship that has lasted for 38 years. I appreciate your consideration of this important
issue, and look forward to discussing the matter with you in the future.

JJM:sl