Political Quotes

“as we consider instituting the provisions of title III of the Cuban Sanctions Act, I am troubled that in a rush to exact retribution for the heinous act of shooting down United States unarmed civil light aircraft by Cuban MiG fighters, we will accomplish nothing more than antagonizing our worldwide trading partners. First, monetary restrictions and filing procedures currently in the language, prevent compensation to by the vast majority of Cuban exiles and benefit only large business concerns which look to use the offices of the U.S. Government to practice international tort law through legislation. This course of action can only lead to the muddying of the legal trade policies and agreements which we have long supported. Second, though we are unarguably the leader in free trade throughout the world, this action will isolate us from our loyal and historic trading partners. Even as we contemplate this drastic course of action, our trading partners have vociferously objected to its long-term ramifications. Some of our closest allies are considering equally harmful measures in response and you know that once we start down this type of road, it will be extremely difficult to halt until an economic disaster occurs. Third, the further starving of the Cuban people in an attempt to force a change in their government is not the way to promote a democratic movement. In order to win the hearts and minds of a subjugated people one doesn't beat them even more.…”