David Funderburk: “last year, on the floor of the House, I referred to Fidel Castro as a cold-blooded killer. The Cuban military shootdown…”

“last year, on the floor of the House, I referred to Fidel Castro as a cold-blooded killer. The Cuban military shootdown of two unarmed American planes is not only a contemptible act of depravity but also reaffirms Castro's title of cold-blooded killer. The four Americans citizens in small Cessnas had no chance against the supersonic war planes sent to intercept and destroy them. For what crimes against humanity were they destroyed? Their crimes were in providing private humanitarian assistance to the Cuban refugees drifting in the open ocean. This indecent act reaffirms those old lessons of the cold war period that Communist dictators are totally brutal in their dealing with anyone weaker. They will violate any international law whenever it suits them. Shame on those congressional Democrats who have gone to Cuba in an attempt to normalize relations with this brutal dictator. Shame on President Clinton for waiting for this tragedy before deciding to support the Helms-Burton Cuban liberty bill, of which I was an original cosponsor. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the President of the United States to stop hiding behind the United Nations and send a clear and forceful message to Castro.”