John Joseph Moakley: “my recent visit to Cuba has been the subject of some controversy. Some of my colleagues, who have surprisingly never…”

“my recent visit to Cuba has been the subject of some controversy. Some of my colleagues, who have surprisingly never even talked to me about the trip, have cynically tried to characterize my views and the trip as insensitive to human rights and pro-Castro. Mr. Speaker, that is a blatant distortion of the truth. My position on Cuba is the same as that put forth by the conference of Catholic Bishops. My position is also the same as Cuba's Catholic Cardinal, Cardinal Jaime Ortega. I might add, as well, that my position is the same as many of Cuba's leading dissidents--including Elizardo Sanchez, Martha Beatriz Roque, Vladimiro Roca, and Rene Gomez Manzano, just to name a few. Are these people, some of whom have spent time in Cuban jails, insensitive to human rights? Are these people pro-Castro? Their position, and my position, it that we can best encourage human rights reforms and begin a transition to a more democratic Cuba through increased relations and not by more isolation. They, like me, oppose the so-called Helms-Burton bill. Mr. Speaker, I realize my public position on Cuba makes me the target of a very well-financed lobby here in the United States. But, let me say clearly and sincerely, I believe in my heart that I am advocating what is best for the courageous people who live on that island and who yearn for a day when human rights and freedoms are truly respected.”