104° CONGRESO 1° Sesión S. 381
Para fortalecer las sanciones internacionales contra el gobierno de Castro en Cuba, para desarrollar un plan de apoyo a un gobierno de transición que conduzca a un gobierno elegido democráticamente en Cuba, y para otros fines.
EN EL SENADO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS
9 de febrero (día legislativo, 30 de enero) de 1995
Sr. Helms (para sí mismo, Sr. Dole, Sr. Mack, Sr. Coverdell, Sr. Graham, Sr. D’Amato, Sr. Hatch, Sr. Gramm, Sr. Thurmond, Sr. Faircloth, Sr. Gregg, Sr. Inhofe, el Sr. Hollings, la Sra. Snowe, el Sr. Kyl, el Sr. Thomas y el Sr. Smith) presentaron el siguiente proyecto de ley; que se leyó dos veces y se ordenó que se mantuviera en el escritorio hasta el cierre de operaciones el 10 de febrero de 1995
10 de febrero (día legislativo, 30 de enero) de 1995
Remitido a la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores
_______________________________________________________________________
UNA LEY
Para fortalecer las sanciones internacionales contra el gobierno de Castro en Cuba, para desarrollar un plan de apoyo a un gobierno de transición que conduzca a un gobierno elegido democráticamente en Cuba, y para otros fines.
Sea promulgado por el Senado y la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos de América reunidos en Congreso,
SECCIÓN 1. TÍTULO BREVE; TABLA DE CONTENIDO.
(a) Título Abreviado.– Esta Ley podrá ser citada como la “Ley para la Libertad y la Solidaridad Democrática de Cuba (LIBERTAD) de 1995”.
(b) Índice.– El índice de esta Ley es el siguiente:
Segundo. 1. Título abreviado; Tabla de contenido.
Segundo. 2. Hallazgos.
Segundo. 3. Propósitos.
Segundo. 4. Definiciones.
TÍTULO I.- FORTALECIMIENTO DE LAS SANCIONES INTERNACIONALES CONTRA EL GOBIERNO DE CASTRO
Segundo. 101. Declaración de política.
Segundo. 102. Aplicación del embargo económico a Cuba.
Segundo. 103. Prohibición contra el financiamiento indirecto de Cuba.
Segundo. 104. Oposición de Estados Unidos a la pertenencia de Cuba a instituciones financieras internacionales.
Segundo. 105. Oposición de los Estados Unidos a la readmisión del Gobierno de Cuba en la Organización de los Estados Americanos.
Segundo. 106. Asistencia de los estados independientes de la ex Unión Soviética al Gobierno de Cuba.
Segundo. 107. Transmisiones de televisión a Cuba.
Segundo. 108. Informes sobre comercio y asistencia a Cuba de otros países extranjeros.
Segundo. 109. Sanción de importación contra ciertos socios comerciales cubanos.
TÍTULO II–APOYO A UNA CUBA LIBRE E INDEPENDIENTE
Segundo. 201. Política hacia un gobierno de transición y un gobierno elegido democráticamente en Cuba.
Segundo. 202. Autorización de asistencia al pueblo cubano.
Segundo. 203. Implementación; informes al Congreso.
Segundo. 204. Terminación del embargo económico a Cuba.
Segundo. 205. Requisitos para un gobierno de transición.
Segundo. 206. Requisitos para un gobierno elegido democráticamente.
TÍTULO III–PROTECCIÓN DE LOS DERECHOS DE PROPIEDAD DE LOS AMERICANOS EN EL EXTRANJERO
Segundo. 301. Exclusión de los Estados Unidos de extranjeros que hayan confiscado bienes reclamados por estadounidenses.
Segundo. 302. Responsabilidad por el tráfico de bienes confiscados reclamados por estadounidenses.
Segundo. 303. Determinación de reclamos de bienes confiscados.
SEGUNDO. 2. HALLAZGOS.
El Congreso llega a las siguientes conclusiones:
(1) La economía de Cuba ha experimentado una caída de aproximadamente 60 por ciento en los últimos 5 años como resultado de–
(A) la reducción de su subvención por parte de la antigua Unión Soviética;
(B) 36 años de tiranía comunista y mala gestión económica por parte del gobierno de Castro;
(C) la caída vertiginosa del comercio entre Cuba y los países del ex bloque soviético; y
(D) la política del Gobierno ruso y los países del antiguo bloque soviético de llevar las relaciones económicas con Cuba predominantemente en términos comerciales.
(2) Al mismo tiempo, el bienestar y la salud del pueblo cubano se han deteriorado sustancialmente como resultado del declive económico de Cuba y la negativa del régimen de Castro a permitir elecciones democráticas libres y justas en Cuba o a adoptar cualquier reforma económica o política. que conduciría a la democracia, una economía de mercado o una recuperación económica.
(3) La represión del pueblo cubano, incluida la prohibición de elecciones democráticas libres y justas y la continua violación de los derechos humanos fundamentales, ha aislado al régimen cubano como el único gobierno no democrático en el hemisferio occidental.
(4) Mientras el gobierno cubano no adopte tales reformas económicas o políticas, la condición económica del país y el bienestar del pueblo cubano no mejorarán de manera significativa.
(5) Fidel Castro ha definido el pluralismo democrático como “basura pluralista” y ha dejado en claro que no tiene ninguna intención de permitir elecciones democráticas libres y justas en Cuba o de tolerar la democratización de la sociedad cubana.
(6) El gobierno de Castro, en un intento por retener el poder político absoluto, continúa utilizando, como lo ha hecho desde sus inicios, la tortura en diversas formas (incluido el abuso psiquiátrico), la ejecución, el exilio, la confiscación, el encarcelamiento político y otras formas de terror y represión como lo demostró recientemente la masacre de más de 70 hombres, mujeres y niños cubanos que intentaban huir de Cuba.
(7) El gobierno de Castro tiene como rehenes en Cuba a cubanos inocentes cuyos familiares han huido del país.
(8) El gobierno de Castro ha amenazado la paz y la seguridad internacionales al participar en actos de subversión armada y terrorismo, como el entrenamiento y armamento de grupos dedicados a la violencia internacional.
(9) El Gobierno de Cuba se dedica al comercio internacional ilegal de narcóticos y alberga a fugitivos de la justicia en los Estados Unidos.
(10) El carácter totalitario del régimen de Castro ha privado al pueblo cubano de cualquier medio pacífico para mejorar su condición y ha llevado a miles de ciudadanos cubanos a arriesgar o perder la vida en peligrosos intentos de escapar de Cuba hacia la libertad.
(11) Los intentos de escapar de Cuba y los valientes actos de desafío al régimen de Castro por parte de grupos prodemocráticos y de derechos humanos cubanos han asegurado que la comunidad internacional siga teniendo conciencia y preocupación por la difícil situación de Cuba.
(12) El pueblo cubano merece ser asistido de manera decisiva para poner fin a la tiranía que lo oprime desde hace 36 años.
(13) Radio Martí y Televisión Martí han sido vehículos efectivos para brindar noticias e información al pueblo de Cuba y han ayudado a levantar la moral de los cubanos que viven bajo la tiranía.
(14) La política constante de los Estados Unidos hacia Cuba desde el comienzo del régimen de Castro, llevada a cabo por las administraciones demócrata y republicana, ha buscado mantener la fe en el pueblo de Cuba y ha sido eficaz para aislar al régimen totalitario de Castro. .
SEGUNDO. 3. FINALIDADES
Los propósitos de esta Ley son–
(1) fortalecer las sanciones internacionales contra el gobierno de Castro;
(2) fomentar la celebración de elecciones democráticas libres y justas en Cuba, conducidas bajo la supervisión de observadores reconocidos internacionalmente;
(3) proporcionar un marco de política para el apoyo de los Estados Unidos al pueblo cubano en respuesta a la formación de un gobierno de transición o un gobierno elegido democráticamente en Cuba; y
(4) para proteger los derechos de las personas de los Estados Unidos que poseen reclamos de bienes confiscados en el extranjero.
SEGUNDO. 4. DEFINICIONES.
Como se usa en esta Ley–
(1) Comités del Congreso apropiados.– El término “comités del Congreso apropiados” significa el Comité de Relaciones Internacionales y el Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara de Representantes y el Comité de Relaciones Exteriores y el Comité de Asignaciones del Senado.
(2) Confiscado.–El término “confiscado” se refiere a la nacionalización, expropiación u otra incautación de propiedad o control de propiedad por parte de la autoridad gubernamental–
(A) sin una compensación adecuada y efectiva o en violación de la ley del lugar donde se encontraban los bienes cuando ocurrió el decomiso; y
(B) sin que la reclamación de la propiedad haya sido resuelta conforme a un acuerdo internacional de solución de reclamaciones.
(3) Gobierno cubano.–El término “gobierno cubano” incluye el gobierno de cualquier subdivisión, agencia o instrumento político del Gobierno de Cuba.
(4) Gobierno elegido democráticamente en cuba.–El término “gobierno elegido democráticamente en Cuba” significa un gobierno descrito en la sección 206.
(5) Embargo económico a cuba.–El término “embargo económico a Cuba” se refiere al embargo económico impuesto contra Cuba de conformidad con la sección 620(a) de la Ley de Asistencia Exterior de 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)), sección 5(b) de la Ley de Comercio con el Enemigo (50 U.S.C. App. 5(b)), la Ley de Poderes Económicos de Emergencia Internacional y la Ley de Administración de Exportaciones de 1979.
(6) Propiedad.–El término “propiedad” significa–
(A) cualquier propiedad, derecho o interés, incluido cualquier interés de arrendamiento,
(B) deudas contraídas por un gobierno extranjero o por cualquier empresa que haya sido confiscada por un gobierno extranjero; y
(C) deudas que son un cargo sobre bienes confiscados por un gobierno extranjero.
(7) Tráficos.–El término “tráfico” significa vender, transferir, distribuir, dispensar o disponer de otro modo de bienes, o comprar, recibir, poseer, obtener el control, administrar o usar bienes.
(8) Gobierno de transición en cuba.–El término “gobierno de transición en Cuba” significa un gobierno descrito en la sección 205.
(9) Persona de los Estados Unidos.–El término “persona de los Estados Unidos” significa–
(A) cualquier ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, incluida, en el contexto de reclamos de bienes confiscados, cualquier persona que se convierta en ciudadano de los Estados Unidos después de que los bienes hayan sido confiscados pero antes de la resolución final del reclamo de esos bienes; y
(B) cualquier corporación, fideicomiso, sociedad u otra entidad jurídica en un 50 por ciento o más propiedad de ciudadanos estadounidenses.
Original document in English
104th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 381
To strengthen international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to develop a plan to support a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 9 (legislative day, January 30), 1995
Mr. Helms (for himself, Mr. Dole, Mr. Mack, Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Graham, Mr. D’Amato, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Hollings, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Smith) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and ordered held at the desk until the close of business February 10, 1995
February 10 (legislative day, January 30), 1995
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to develop a plan to support a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.–This Act may be cited as the “Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1995”.
(b) Table of Contents.–The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
TITLE I–STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT
Sec. 101. Statement of policy.
Sec. 102. Enforcement of the economic embargo of Cuba.
Sec. 103. Prohibition against indirect financing of Cuba.
Sec. 104. United States opposition to Cuban membership in international financial institutions.
Sec. 105. United States opposition to readmission of the Government of Cuba to the Organization of American States.
Sec. 106. Assistance by the independent states of the former Soviet Union for the Government of Cuba.
Sec. 107. Television broadcasting to Cuba.
Sec. 108. Reports on commerce with, and assistance to, Cuba from other foreign countries.
Sec. 109. Importation sanction against certain Cuban trading partners.
TITLE II–SUPPORT FOR A FREE AND INDEPENDENT CUBA
Sec. 201. Policy toward a transition government and a democratically elected government in Cuba.
Sec. 202. Authorization of assistance for the Cuban people.
Sec. 203. Implementation; reports to Congress.
Sec. 204. Termination of the economic embargo of Cuba.
Sec. 205. Requirements for a transition government.
Sec. 206. Requirements for a democratically elected government.
TITLE III–PROTECTION OF AMERICAN PROPERTY RIGHTS ABROAD
Sec. 301. Exclusion from the United States of aliens who have confiscated property claimed by United States persons.
Sec. 302. Liability for trafficking in confiscated property claimed by United States persons.
Sec. 303. Determination of claims to confiscated property.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The economy of Cuba has experienced a decline of approximately 60 percent in the last 5 years as a result of–
(A) the reduction in its subsidization by the former Soviet Union;
(B) 36 years of Communist tyranny and economic mismanagement by the Castro government;
(C) the precipitous decline in trade between Cuba and the countries of the former Soviet bloc; and
(D) the policy of the Russian Government and the countries of the former Soviet bloc to conduct economic relations with Cuba predominantly on commercial terms.
(2) At the same time, the welfare and health of the Cuban people have substantially deteriorated as a result of Cuba’s economic decline and the refusal of the Castro regime to permit free and fair democratic elections in Cuba or to adopt any economic or political reforms that would lead to democracy, a market economy, or an economic recovery.
(3) The repression of the Cuban people, including a ban on free and fair democratic elections and the continuing violation of fundamental human rights, has isolated the Cuban regime as the only nondemocratic government in the Western Hemisphere.
(4) As long as no such economic or political reforms are adopted by the Cuban government, the economic condition of the country and the welfare of the Cuban people will not improve in any significant way.
(5) Fidel Castro has defined democratic pluralism as “pluralistic garbage” and has made clear that he has no intention of permitting free and fair democratic elections in Cuba or otherwise tolerating the democratization of Cuban society.
(6) The Castro government, in an attempt to retain absolute political power, continues to utilize, as it has from its inception, torture in various forms (including psychiatric abuse), execution, exile, confiscation, political imprisonment, and other forms of terror and repression as most recently demonstrated by the massacre of more than 70 Cuban men, women, and children attempting to flee Cuba.
(7) The Castro government holds hostage in Cuba innocent Cubans whose relatives have escaped the country.
(8) The Castro government has threatened international peace and security by engaging in acts of armed subversion and terrorism, such as the training and arming of groups dedicated to international violence.
(9) The Government of Cuba engages in illegal international narcotics trade and harbors fugitives from justice in the United States.
(10) The totalitarian nature of the Castro regime has deprived the Cuban people of any peaceful means to improve their condition and has led thousands of Cuban citizens to risk or lose their lives in dangerous attempts to escape from Cuba to freedom.
(11) Attempts to escape from Cuba and courageous acts of defiance of the Castro regime by Cuban pro-democracy and human rights groups have ensured the international community’s continued awareness of, and concern for, the plight of Cuba.
(12) The Cuban people deserve to be assisted in a decisive manner in order to end the tyranny that has oppressed them for 36 years.
(13) Radio Marti and Television Marti have both been effective vehicles for providing the people of Cuba with news and information and have helped to bolster the morale of the Cubans living under tyranny.
(14) The consistent policy of the United States towards Cuba since the beginning of the Castro regime, carried out by both Democratic and Republican administrations, has sought to keep faith with the people of Cuba, and has been effective in isolating the totalitarian Castro regime.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES
The purposes of this Act are–
(1) to strengthen international sanctions against the Castro government;
(2) to encourage the holding of free and fair democratic elections in Cuba, conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers;
(3) to provide a policy framework for United States support to the Cuban people in response to the formation of a transition government or a democratically elected government in Cuba; and
(4) to protect the rights of United States persons who own claims to confiscated property abroad.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act–
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.–The term “appropriate congressional committees” means the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) Confiscated.–The term “confiscated” refers to the nationalization, expropriation, or other seizure of ownership or control of property by governmental authority–
(A) without adequate and effective compensation or in violation of the law of the place where the property was situated when the confiscation occurred; and
(B) without the claim to the property having been settled pursuant to an international claims settlement agreement.
(3) Cuban government.–The term “Cuban government” includes the government of any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the Government of Cuba.
(4) Democratically elected government in cuba.–The term “democratically elected government in Cuba” means a government described in section 206.
(5) Economic embargo of cuba.–The term “economic embargo of Cuba” refers to the economic embargo imposed against Cuba pursuant to section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)), section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 5(b)), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the Export Administration Act of 1979.
(6) Property.–The term “roperty” means–
(A) any property, right, or interest, including any leasehold interest,
(B) debts owed by a foreign government or by any enterprise which has been confiscated by a foreign government; and
(C) debts which are a charge on property confiscated by a foreign government.
(7) Traffics.–The term “traffics” means selling, transfering, distributing, dispensing, or otherwise disposing of property, or purchasing, receiving, possessing, obtaining control of, managing, or using property.
(8) Transition government in cuba.–The term “transition government in Cuba” means a government described in section 205.
(9) United states person.–The term “United States person” means–
(A) any United States citizen, including, in the context of claims to confiscated property, any person who becomes a United States citizen after the property was confiscated but before final resolution of the claim to that property; and
(B) any corporation, trust, partnership, or other juridical entity 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United States citizens.
TITLE I–STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT
SEC. 101. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the sense of the Congress that–
(1) the acts of the Castro government, including its
massive, systematic, and extraordinary violations of human
rights, are a threat to international peace;
(2) the President should advocate, and should instruct the
United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to
propose and seek within the Security Council a mandatory
international embargo against the totalitarian government of
Cuba pursuant to chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations, which is similar to consultations conducted by United
States representatives with respect to Haiti; and
(3) any resumption of efforts by any independent state of
the former Soviet Union to make operational the nuclear
facility at Cienfuegos, Cuba, will have a detrimental impact on
United States assistance to such state.
SEC. 102. ENFORCEMENT OF THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO OF CUBA.
(a) Policy.–(1) The Congress hereby reaffirms section 1704(a) of
the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, which states the President should
encourage foreign countries to restrict trade and credit relations with
Cuba.
(2) The Congress further urges the President to take immediate
steps to apply the sanctions described in section 1704(b)(1) of such
Act against countries assisting Cuba.
(b) Diplomatic Efforts.–The Secretary of State should ensure that
United States diplomatic personnel abroad understand and, in their
contacts with foreign officials are–
(1) communicating the reasons for the United States
economic embargo of Cuba; and
(2) urging foreign governments to cooperate more
effectively with the embargo.
(c) Existing Regulations.–The President shall instruct the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General to enforce fully the
Cuban Assets Control Regulations in part 515 of title 31, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(d) Violations of Restrictions on Travel to Cuba.–The penalties
provided for in section 16 of the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C.
App. 16) shall apply to all violations of the Cuban Assets Control
Regulations (part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations)
involving transactions incident to travel to and within Cuba,
notwithstanding section 16(b)(2) (the first place it appears) and
section 16(b) (3) and (4) of such Act.
SEC. 103. PROHIBITION AGAINST INDIRECT FINANCING OF CUBA.
(a) Prohibition.–Effective upon the date of enactment of this Act,
it is unlawful for any United States person, including any officer,
director, or agent thereof and including any officer or employee of a
United States agency, knowingly to extend any loan, credit, or other
financing to a foreign person that traffics in any property confiscated
by the Cuban government the claim to which is owned by a United States
person.
(b) Termination of Prohibition.–The prohibition of subsection (a)
shall cease to apply on the date of termination of the economic embargo
of Cuba.
(c) Penalties.–Violations of subsection (a) shall be punishable by
the same penalties as are applicable to similar violations of the Cuban
Assets Control Regulations in part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(d) Definitions.–As used in this section–
(1) the term “foreign person” means (A) an alien, and (B)
any corporation, trust, partnership, or other juridical entity
that is not 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United
States citizens; and
(2) the term “United States agency” has the same meaning
given to the term “agency” in section 551(1) of title 5,
United States Code.
SEC. 104. UNITED STATES OPPOSITION TO CUBAN MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Continued Opposition to Cuban Membership in International
Financial Institutions.–(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive
director of each international financial institution to vote against
the admission of Cuba as a member of such institution until Cuba holds
free and fair, democratic elections, conducted under the supervision of
internationally recognized observers.
(2) During the period that a transition government in Cuba is in
power, the President shall take steps to support the processing of
Cuba’s application for membership in any international financial
institution, subject to the membership taking effect after a
democratically elected government in Cuba is in power.
(b) Reduction in United States Payments to International Financial
Institutions.–If any international financial institution approves a
loan or other assistance to Cuba over the opposition of the United
States, then the Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold from payment
to such institution an amount equal to the amount of the loan or other
assistance, with respect to each of the following types of payment:
(1) The paid-in portion of the increase in capital stock of
the institution.
(2) The callable portion of the increase in capital stock
of the institution.
(c) Definition.–For purposes of this section, the term
“international financial institution” means the International
Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the International Development Association, the
International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guaranty
Agency, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
SEC. 105. UNITED STATES OPPOSITION TO READMISSION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
CUBA TO THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES.
The President should instruct the United States Permanent
Representative to the Organization of American States to vote against
the readmission of the Government of Cuba to membership in the
Organization until the President determines under section 203(c) that a
democratically elected government in Cuba is in power.
SEC. 106. ASSISTANCE BY THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET
UNION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA.
(a) Reporting Requirement.–Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report detailing progress towards the
withdrawal of personnel of any independent state of the former Soviet
Union (within the meaning of section 3 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22
U.S.C. 5801)), including advisers, technicians, and military personnel,
from the Cienfuegos nuclear facility in Cuba.
(b) Criteria for Assistance.–Section 498A(a)(11) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295a(a)(1)) is amended by striking
“of military facilities” and inserting “military and intelligence
facilities, including the military and intelligence facilities at
Lourdes and Cienfuegos,”.
(c) Ineligibility for Assistance.–(1) Section 498A(b) of that Act
(22 U.S.C. 2295a(b)) is amended–
(A) by striking “or” at the end of paragraph (4);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
“(5) for the government of any independent state effective
30 days after the President has determined and certified to the
appropriate congressional committees (and Congress has not
enacted legislation disapproving the determination within the
30-day period) that such government is providing assistance
for, or engaging in nonmarket based trade (as defined in
section 498B(k)(3)) with, the Government of Cuba; or”.
(2) Subsection (k) of section 498B of that Act (22 U.S.C.
2295b(k)), is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(3) Nonmarket based trade.–As used in section
498A(b)(5), the term `nonmarket based trade’ includes exports,
imports, exchanges, or other arrangements that are provided for
goods and services (including oil and other petroleum products)
on terms more favorable than those generally available in
applicable markets or for comparable commodities, including–
“(A) exports to the Government of Cuba on terms
that involve a grant, concessional price, guarantee,
insurance, or subsidy;
“(B) imports from the Government of Cuba at
preferential tariff rates; and
“(C) exchange arrangements that include advance
delivery of commodities, arrangements in which the
Government of Cuba is not held accountable for
unfulfilled exchange contracts, and arrangements under
which Cuba does not pay appropriate transportation,
insurance, or finance costs.”.
(d) Facilities at Lourdes, Cuba.–(1) The Congress expresses its
strong disapproval of the extension by Russia of credits equivalent to
$200,000,000 in support of the intelligence facility at Lourdes, Cuba,
in November 1994.
(2) Section 498A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2295a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(d) Reduction in Assistance for Support of Military and
Intelligence Facilities in Cuba.–(1) Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the President shall withhold from assistance
allocated for an independent state of the former Soviet Union under
this chapter an amount equal to the sum of assistance and credits, if
any, provided by such state in support of military and intelligence
facilities in Cuba, such as the intelligence facility at Lourdes, Cuba.
“(2) Nothing in this subsection may be construed to apply to–
“(A) assistance provided under the Soviet Nuclear Threat
Reduction Act of 1991 (title II of Public Law 102-228) or the
Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993 (title XII of Public
Law 103-160); or
“(B) assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs under
section 498(1), including disaster assistance described in
subsection (c)(3) of this section.”.
SEC. 107. TELEVISION BROADCASTING TO CUBA.
(a) Conversion to UHF.–The Director of the United States
Information Agency shall implement a conversion of television
broadcasting to Cuba under the Television Marti Service to ultra high
frequency (UHF) broadcasting.
(b) Periodic Reports.–Not later than 45 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every three months thereafter until the
conversion described in subsection (a) is fully implemented, the
Director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees on the progress made in carrying out subsection (a).
SEC. 108. REPORTS ON COMMERCE WITH, AND ASSISTANCE TO, CUBA FROM OTHER
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) Reports Required.–Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the President shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on commerce
with, and assistance to, Cuba from other foreign countries during the
preceding 12-month period.
(b) Contents of Reports.–Each report required by subsection (a)
shall, for the period covered by the report, contain–
(1) a description of all bilateral assistance provided to
Cuba by other foreign countries, including humanitarian
assistance;
(2) a description of Cuba’s commerce with foreign
countries, including an identification of Cuba’s trading
partners and the extent of such trade;
(3) a description of the joint ventures completed, or under
consideration, by foreign nationals and business firms
involving facilities in Cuba, including an identification of
the location of the facilities involved and a description of
the terms of agreement of the joint ventures and the names of
the parties that are involved;
(4) a determination as to whether or not any of the
facilities described in paragraph (3) is the subject of a claim
against Cuba by a United States person;
(5) a determination of the amount of Cuban debt owed to
each foreign country, including the amount of debt exchanged,
forgiven, or reduced under the terms of each investment or
operation in Cuba involving foreign nationals or businesses;
and
(6) a description of the steps taken to assure that raw
materials and semifinished or finished goods produced by
facilities in Cuba involving foreign nationals or businesses do
not enter the United States market, either directly or through
third countries or parties.
SEC. 109. IMPORTATION SANCTION AGAINST CERTAIN CUBAN TRADING PARTNERS.
(a) Sanction.–Notwithstanding any other provision of law, sugars,
syrups, and molasses, that are the product of a country that the
President determines has imported sugar, syrup, or molasses that is the
product of Cuba, shall not be entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
consumption, into the customs territory of the United States, unless
the condition set forth in subsection (b) is met.
(b) Condition for Removal of Sanction.–The sanction set forth in
subsection (a) shall cease to apply to a country if the country
certifies to the President that the country will not import sugar,
syrup, or molasses that is the product of Cuba until free and fair
elections, conducted under the supervision of internationally
recognized observers, are held in Cuba. Such certification shall cease
to be effective if the President makes a subsequent determination under
subsection (a) with respect to that country.
(c) Reports to Congress.–The President shall report to the
appropriate congressional committees all determinations made under
subsection (a) and all certifications made under subsection (b).
(d) Reallocation of Sugar Quotas.–During any period in which a
sanction under subsection (a) is in effect with respect to a country,
the President may reallocate to other countries the quota of sugars,
syrups, and molasses allocated to that country, before the prohibition
went into effect, under chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States.
TITLE II–SUPPORT FOR A FREE AND INDEPENDENT CUBA
SEC. 201. POLICY TOWARD A TRANSITION GOVERNMENT AND A DEMOCRATICALLY
ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN CUBA.
It is the policy of the United States–
(1) to support the self-determination of the Cuban people;
(2) to facilitate a peaceful transition to representative
democracy and a free market economy in Cuba;
(3) to be impartial toward any individual or entity in the
selection by the Cuban people of their future government;
(4) to enter into negotiations with a democratically
elected government in Cuba regarding the status of the United
States Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay;
(5) to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, and support
the reintegration of Cuba into entities of the Inter-American
System, when the President determines that there exists a
democratically elected government in Cuba;
(6) to remove the economic embargo of Cuba when the
President determines that there exists a democratically elected
government in Cuba; and
(7) to pursue a mutually beneficial trading relationship
with a democratic Cuba.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE.
(a) Authorization.–
(1) In general.–The President may provide assistance under
this section for the Cuban people after a transition
government, or a democratically elected government, is in power
in Cuba, as determined under section 203 (a) and (c).
(2) Effect on other laws.–
(A) Superseding other laws.–Subject to
subparagraph (B), assistance may be provided under this
section notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(B) Determination required regarding property taken
from united states persons.–Subparagraph (A) shall not
apply to section 620(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)(2)).
(b) Response Plan.–
(1) Development of plan.–The President shall develop a
plan detailing the manner in which the United States would
provide and implement support for the Cuban people in response
to the formation of–
(A) a transition government in Cuba; and
(B) a democratically elected government in Cuba.
(2) Types of assistance.–Support for the Cuban people
under the plan described in paragraph (1) shall include the
following types of assistance:
(A) Transition government.–Assistance under the
plan to a transition government in Cuba shall be
limited to such food, medicine, medical supplies and
equipment, and other assistance as may be necessary to
meet emergency humanitarian needs of the Cuban people.
(B) Democratically elected government.–Assistance
under the plan for a democratically elected government
in Cuba shall consist of assistance to promote free
market development, private enterprise, and a mutually
beneficial trade relationship between the United States
and Cuba. Such assistance should include–
(i) financing, guarantees, and other
assistance provided by the Export-Import Bank
of the United States;
(ii) insurance, guarantees, and other
assistance provided by the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation for investment projects
in Cuba;
(iii) assistance provided by the Trade and
Development Agency;
(iv) international narcotics control
assistance provided under chapter 8 of part I
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; and
(v) Peace Corps activities.
(c) Caribbean Basin Initiative.–(1) The President shall determine,
as part of the plan developed under subsection (b), whether or not to
designate Cuba as a beneficiary country under section 212 of the
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
(2) Any designation of Cuba as a beneficiary country under section
212 of such Act may only be made after a democratically elected
government in Cuba is in power. Such designation may be made
notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(3) The table contained in section 212(b) of the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2702(b)) is amended by inserting
“Cuba” between “Costa Rica” and “Dominica”.
(d) Trade Agreements.–Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the President, upon transmittal to Congress of a determination under
section 203(c) that a democratically elected government in Cuba is in
power, should–
(1) take the steps necessary to extend nondiscriminatory
trade treatment (most-favored-nation status) to the products of
Cuba; and
(2) take such other steps as will encourage renewed
investment in Cuba.
(e) Communication With the Cuban People.–The President should take
the necessary steps to communicate to the Cuban people the plan
developed under this section.
(f) Report to Congress.–Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report describing in detail the
plan developed under this section.
SEC. 203. IMPLEMENTATION; REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Implementation With Respect to Transition Government.–Upon
making a determination that a transition government in Cuba is in
power, the President shall transmit that determination to the
appropriate congressional committees and should, subject to the
availability of appropriations, commence the provision of assistance to
such transition government under the plan developed under section
202(b).
(b) Reports to Congress.–(1) The President shall transmit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth the
strategy for providing assistance described in section 202(b)(2)(A) to
the transition government in Cuba under the plan of assistance
developed under section 202(b), the types of such assistance, and the
extent to which such assistance has been distributed in accordance with
the plan.
(2) The President shall transmit the report not later than 90 days
after making the determination referred to in paragraph (1), except
that the President shall transmit the report in preliminary form not
later than 15 days after making that determination.
(c) Implementation With Respect to Democratically Elected
Government.–The President shall, upon determining that a
democratically elected government in Cuba is in power, transmit that
determination to the appropriate congressional committees and should,
subject to the availability of appropriations, commence the provision
of assistance to such democratically elected government under the plan
developed under section 202(b)(2)(B).
(d) Annual Reports to Congress.–Not later than 60 days after the
end of each fiscal year, the President shall transmit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the assistance
provided under the plan developed under section 202(b), including a
description of each type of assistance, the amounts expended for such
assistance, and a description of the assistance to be provided under
the plan in the current fiscal year.
SEC. 204. TERMINATION OF THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO OF CUBA.
(a) Termination.–Upon the effective date of this section–
(1) section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2370(a)) is repealed;
(2) section 620(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2370(f)) is amended by striking “Republic of
Cuba”;
(3) the prohibitions on transactions described in part 515
of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, shall cease to apply;
and
(4) the President shall take such other steps as may be
necessary to rescind any other regulations in effect under the
economic embargo of Cuba.
(b) Effective Date.–This section shall take effect upon
transmittal to Congress of a determination under section 203(c) that a
democratically elected government in Cuba is in power.
SEC. 205. REQUIREMENTS FOR A TRANSITION GOVERNMENT.
For purposes of this Act, a transition government in Cuba is a
government in Cuba that–
(1) is demonstrably in transition from communist
totalitarian dictatorship to representative democracy;
(2) has released all political prisoners and allowed for
investigations of Cuban prisons by appropriate international
human rights organizations;
(3) has dissolved the present Department of State Security
in the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, including the Committees
for the Defense of the Revolution and the Rapid Response
Brigades;
(4) has publicly committed itself to, and is making
demonstrable progress in–
(A) establishing an independent judiciary;
(B) 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;
(C) effectively guaranteeing the rights of free
speech and freedom of the press;
(D) permitting the reinstatement of citizenship to
Cuban-born nationals returning to Cuba;
(E) organizing free and fair elections for a new
government–
(i) to be held within 1 year after the
transition government assumes power;
(ii) with the participation of multiple
independent political parties that have full
access to the media on an equal basis,
including (in the case of radio, television, or
other telecommunications media) in terms of
allotments of time for such access and the
times of day such allotments are given; and
(iii) to be conducted under the supervision
of internationally recognized observers, such
as the Organization of American States, the
United Nations, and other elections monitors;
(F) assuring the right to private property;
(G) taking appropriate steps to return to United
States citizens and entities property taken by the
Government of Cuba from such citizens and entities on
or after January 1, 1959, or to provide equitable
compensation to such citizens and entities for such
property;
(H) having a currency that is fully convertible
domestically and internationally;
(I) granting permits to privately owned
telecommunications and media companies to operate in
Cuba; and
(J) allowing the establishment of an independent
labor movement and of independent social, economic, and
political associations;
(5) does not include Fidel Castro or Raul Castro;
(6) has given adequate assurances that it will allow the
speedy and efficient distribution of assistance to the Cuban
people; and
(7) permits the deployment throughout Cuba of independent
and unfettered international human rights monitors.
SEC. 206. REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT.
For purposes of this Act, a democratically elected government in
Cuba, in addition to continuing to comply with the requirements of
section 205, is a government in Cuba which–
(1) results from free and fair elections–
(A) conducted under the supervision of
internationally recognized observers;
(B) in which opposition parties were permitted
ample time to organize and campaign for such elections,
and in which all candidates in the elections were
permitted full access to the media;
(2) is showing respect for the basic civil liberties and
human rights of the citizens of Cuba;
(3) has established an independent judiciary;
(4) is substantially moving toward a market-oriented
economic system based on the right to own and enjoy property;
(5) is committed to making constitutional changes that
would ensure regular free and fair elections that meet the
requirements of paragraph (2); and
(6) has returned to United States citizens, and entities
which are 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United
States citizens, property taken by the Government of Cuba from
such citizens and entities on or after January 1, 1959, or
provided full compensation in accordance with international law
standards and practice to such citizens and entities for such
property.
TITLE III–PROTECTION OF AMERICAN PROPERTY RIGHTS ABROAD
SEC. 301. EXCLUSION FROM THE UNITED STATES OF ALIENS WHO HAVE
CONFISCATED PROPERTY CLAIMED BY UNITED STATES PERSONS.
(a) Additional Grounds for Exclusion.–Section 212(a)(9) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
“(D) Aliens who have confiscated american property
abroad and related persons.–(i) Any alien who–
“(I) has confiscated, or has directed or
overseen the confiscation of, property the
claim to which is owned by a United States
person, or converts or has converted for
personal gain confiscated property, the claim
to which is owned by a United States person;
“(II) traffics in confiscated property,
the claim to which is owned by a United States
person;
“(III) is a corporate officer, principal,
or shareholder of an entity which the Secretary
of State determines or is informed by competent
authority has been involved in the
confiscation, trafficking in, or subsequent
unauthorized use or benefit from confiscated
property, the claim to which is owned by a
United States person, or
“(IV) is a spouse or dependent of a person
described in subclause (I),
is excludable.
“(ii) The validity of claims under this
subparagraph shall be established in accordance with
section 303 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1995.
“(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the
terms `confiscated’, `traffics’, and `United States
person’ have the same meanings given to such terms
under section 4 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1995.”.
(b) Effective Date.–The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to individuals seeking to enter the United States on or after the
date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 302. LIABILITY FOR TRAFFICKING IN CONFISCATED PROPERTY CLAIMED BY
UNITED STATES PERSONS.
(a) Civil Remedy.–(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and
(3), any person or government that traffics in property confiscated by
a foreign government shall be liable to the United States person who
owns the claim to the confiscated property for money damages in an
amount which is the greater of–
(A) the amount certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement
Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement
Act of 1949, plus interest at the commercially recognized
normal rate;
(B) the amount determined under section 303(a)(2); or
(C) the fair market value of that property, calculated as
being the then current value of the property, or the value of
the property when confiscated plus interest at the commercially
recognized normal rate, whichever is greater.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), any person or government
that traffics in confiscated property after having received (A) notice
of a claim to ownership of the property by the United States person who
owns the claim to the confiscated property, and (B) a copy of this
section, shall be liable to such United States person for money damages
in an amount which is treble the amount specified in paragraph (1).
(3)(A) Actions may be brought under paragraph (1) with respect to
property confiscated before, on, or after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(B) In the case of property confiscated before the date of
enactment of this Act, no United States person may bring an action
under this section unless such person acquired ownership of the claim
to the confiscated property before such date.
(C) In the case of property confiscated on or after the date of
enactment of this Act, in order to maintain the action, the United
States person who is the plaintiff must demonstrate to the court that
the plaintiff has taken reasonable steps to exhaust all available local
remedies.
(b) Jurisdiction.–Chapter 85 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1331 the following new section:
“Sec. 1331a. Civil actions involving confiscated property
“The district courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction, without
regard to the amount in controversy, of any action brought under
section 302 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD)
Act of 1995.”.
(c) Waiver of Sovereign Immunity.–Section 1605 of title 28, United
States Code, is amended–
(1) by striking “or” at the end of paragraph (5);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and
inserting “; or”; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(7) in which the action is brought with respect to
confiscated property under section 302 of the Cuban Liberty and
Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1995.”.
SEC. 303. DETERMINATION OF CLAIMS TO CONFISCATED PROPERTY.
(a) Evidence of Ownership.–For purposes of this Act, conclusive
evidence of ownership by the United States person of a claim to
confiscated property is established–
(1) when the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission certifies
the claim under title V of the International Claims Settlement
Act of 1949, as amended by subsection (b); or
(2) when the claim has been determined to be valid by a
court or administrative agency of the country in which the
property was confiscated.
(b) Amendment of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949.–
Title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
“additional claims
“Sec. 514. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a
United States national may bring a claim to the Commission for
determination and certification under this title of the amount and
validity of a claim resulting from actions taken by the Government of
Cuba described in section 503(a), whether or not the United States
national qualified as a United States national at the time of the Cuban
government action, except that, in the case of property confiscated
after the date of enactment of this section, the claimant must be a
United States national at the time of the confiscation.”.
(c) Conforming Repeal.–Section 510 of the International Claims
Settlement Act of 1949 (22 U.S.C. 1643i) is repealed.
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