Dawn Zimmer: “Mr. Speaker, some who are opposed to this legislation argue, against all evidence, that conciliation and appeasement…”

“Mr. Speaker, some who are opposed to this legislation argue, against all evidence, that conciliation and appeasement will liberalize the Castro regime, when 35 years of history has proved exactly the opposite. The downing of those airplanes shows that Fidel Castro cares only about his power and only about the maintenance of his corrupt regime. It was the pretext he was looking for to crack down on Concilio Cubano and other democratic organizations that were beginning to flower within Cuba. It was not the fault of the U.S. Government. It was not the fault of the Americans who flew those planes. It was the fault of Fidel Castro, who insisted on perpetuating his dictatorship. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the President has agreed to sign this legislation, but I am disappointed that he has asked for the power to waive its key provisions. I urge the President, do not waive these provisions. The time has come to be tough with Fidel Castro. We know appeasement does not work. We know only firmness will.”