Chris Smith: “first, so the record is clear, Paul O'Neill, the Secretary of the Treasury, has cosigned a letter with Secretary Colin…”

“first, so the record is clear, Paul O'Neill, the Secretary of the Treasury, has cosigned a letter with Secretary Colin Powell to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) saying that we would recommend that the President veto such legislation if it reaches his desk with the Flake amendment or any language that weakens current policy. So let us be very clear about that. Let me also point out to my colleagues that travel to Cuba by Americans is permitted, providing it is with a purpose. There are 13 broad categories for which travel may be authorized. Something on the order of 200,000 people visited Cuba last year, so travel does take place, but it has to have a purpose. There is a dark side to Cuba travel as well. Some of my colleagues think the travel is a panacea if we just have unfettered travel, somehow human rights abuses will be ameliorated and we will see some changes. That has not happened with the Canadians, with Europeans and others who routinely go to Cuba. There has been no mitigation of the human rights abuse. It has gotten worse in Cuba over this last several years. It is Pollyannaish, I would say to my colleagues who think otherwise. There is also another dark side. The Protection Project just recently came out with a report again about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. I am the prime sponsor of landmark human trafficking law, and we have seen an increase in sexual tourism in Cuba.”