Robert Torricelli: “I thank Senators Smith, Helms, Ensign, Graham, and Nelson for being part of this effort. The administration supports…”

“I thank Senators Smith, Helms, Ensign, Graham, and Nelson for being part of this effort. The administration supports these amendments and opposes the provision in the bill. It would be shocking if the President of the United States did not support us. President Bush has made very clear, in this world, you are with us in the fight against terrorism or you are against us. We are in the middle of a worldwide fight against terrorism and almost unbelievably in this Senate this bill contains a provision that the United States would allow private banks, guaranteed by the U.S. Government, to sell products to Fidel Castro's Cuba while the State Department has listed Cuba as harboring terrorists--not one terrorist group but four terrorist groups. Further, it is amending the bill to say to Fidel Castro: If you want the privilege of our finance, get yourself off the terrorist list; if you want the privilege of our finance, return the 77 fugitives living in Cuba wanted for murder, hijacking, and terrorist activities. I ask my colleagues to think about what we are doing, what kind of a message we are sending. We send troops halfway around the world to fight terrorists. But now on the floor of the Senate, before our troops even come home, we are authorizing the financing of exports to a country we have identified as harboring terrorists. It doesn't make sense. Of course, the President is opposed to it. Of course, we should be opposed to it.”