THE PRESIDENT: Siente se. (Laughter.) Bienvenidos a la casa de todos
que -- quien viven en nuestra grande pais. Welcome to the White House.
Mr. Secretary, you were an easy
pick. (Laughter.) There's no
question you'd do a fabulous job on
behalf of America. Thank you for
taking the assignment. (Applause.)
Another member of my team
who is here who helps us have a
strong and certain foreign policy is
Senorita Condoleezza
Arroz. (Applause and laughter.) That means rice. (Laughter.)
Senator Graham, thank you for being here. We're honored by your
presence. I know you're a strong friend of Cuba's. (Applause.) And, of
course, too -- and it's great that Ileana and Lincoln are with us, as well. Thank
you. (Applause.)
I noticed when Gloria sang the Cuban Anthen, that the first two people on
their feet were the two Congresspeople from South Florida. And, Lincoln, I
did notice that you were braced at attention, too, I might add. Proud. So it's
great to have you all here.
Gloria, thank you very much. Sorry you brought your husband -- no.
(Laughter.) We love Emilio. He's a good man. (Applause.) And, Gloria,
thank you for coming and bringing tu nanita. Thank you all for being here. We
love your music. Your husband has been such a good friend of me and my
family, and so have you.
The great poet -- man, you must be a strong person, with a beautiful heart,
and a wonderful, artistic touch. Angel, welcome to the White House.
(Applause.) And Lizebet, thank you for coming. I don't think many in America
know your story, that you were picked up on a raft, and you played The
National Anthem on your violin when you were picked up. That's
beautiful. (Applause.)
And finally -- por fin -- "la voz" -- (laughter) -- John Secada. Thank you,
John for being here. I appreciate you very much. Glad you're
here. (Applause.)
It's a great honor for me to welcome you all to the White House to celebrate
May 20th, Cuban Independence Day. It's a day when we honor the warm
family ties, the faith, the history and heritage that unite our two peoples.
As Angel and Lizebet and so many others remind us, it is a day when we
pay thanks to the magnificent contributions of Cubans to our national life. They
enrich every field, from science to industry, to the arts, including my favorite
performing art --baseball. (Laughter and applause.) But mostly, today is a day
when we reflect on the greatnesses of Cuba's far-too-distant past and the
brightness of its future; of how, together, we can hasten that future's arrival.
Just last month I returned from the Summit of the Americas in Quebec
City. Thirty-four democratic nations committed ourselves to building a
hemisphere of freedom. But one nation was not there, because that nation has
a leader who has no place at the democratic table. Indeed, his nation is not
free, but enslaved. He is the last holdout of the hemisphere, and time is not on
his side. (Applause.)
The Cuban independence we celebrate today was the product of the
enormous courage of the Cuban people and the statesmanship of leaders such
as Jose Marti. The tyranny that rules Cuba today stands as an insult to their
sacrifices. But we're confident in one fact, Cuban courage is more powerful
and enduring than Castro's legacy and tyranny.
Our nation has an economic embargo against Castro's regime. But today, of
all days, it is important for us to remember that our goal is not to have an
embargo against Cuba; it is freedom in Cuba. (Applause.)
The United States welcomes the opportunity to trade with Cuba when there
are entrepreneurs who are free to trade with us. We welcome the opportunity
to build diplomatic relations with Cuba when the Cuban government is a
democracy, when the Cuban people can be free from fear to say what they
think and choose who shall govern them.
The sanctions our government enforces against the Castro regime are not
just a policy tool; they're a moral statement. My administration will oppose any
attempt to weaken sanctions against Cuba's government until the regime --
(applause) -- and I will fight such attempts until this regime frees its political
prisoners, holds democratic, free elections, and allows for free speech.
The policy of our government is not merely to isolate Castro, but to actively
support those working to bring about democratic change in Cuba.
(Applause.) And that is why we will support legislation like the Cuban
Solidarity Act, and the Cuban Internal Opposition Assistance Act.
(Applause.) History tells us that forcing change upon repressive regimes
requires patience. But history also proves, from Poland to South Africa, that
patience and courage and resolve can eventually cause oppressive governments
to fear and then to fall.
One of the surest ways to foster freedom is to give people unlimited access
to unbiased information. The strongest walls of oppression can't stand when the
floodgates of modern telecommunications are opened. We must explore ways
to expand access to the Internet for the average Cuban citizen. And we must
strengthen the voices of Radio and TV Marti, with strong
leadership. (Applause.) And we will strengthen those voices with strong
leadership and new direction.
Today -- today I say this to Mr. Castro: If you are confident your ideas are
right, then stop jamming the broadcasts of those whose ideas are
different. (Applause.) And until you do, we will look for ways to use new
technology, from new locations, to counter your silencing of the voices of
liberty. (Applause.)
Last month, the U.N. Human Rights Commission called on Castro's regime
to respect the basic human rights of all its people. The United States leadership
was responsible for passage of that resolution. (Applause.) Some say we paid
a heavy price for it. But let me be clear: I'm very proud of what we
did. (Applause.) And repressed people around the world must know this
about the United States: We might not sit on some commission, but we will
always be the world's leader in support of human rights. (Applause.)
Today, all our citizens are proud to stand with all Cubans, and all Cuban
Americans who love freedom. We will continue to stand with you until that
day, hopefully not in the too-distant future, when all Cubans breathe the heady
air of liberty. (Applause.)
We are proud to stand with those Cubans who, today, enrich our nation
with their energies and industry. We're proud to stand with the farmers and
workers of Cuba who dream of liberty's blessings. We are proud to stand, too,
with those who are suffering and dying in jails because they had the courage to
speak the truth.
Y aqui en este Casa Blanca, estamos feliz de cultivar "una rosa blanca en
Julio como en Enero." (Applause.) Y por fin, viva Cuba libre.
(Applause.) Thank you all.
