Published Monday, August 14, 2000, in the Miami Herald
The following are the two major parties' 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 . . .''
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 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.''
Copyright 2000 Miami Herald