Orrin Hatch: “today we are again debating U.S. foreign policy toward the Communist regime of Fidel Castro. We are here to strengthen…”

“today we are again debating U.S. foreign policy toward the Communist regime of Fidel Castro. We are here to strengthen the policy that the majority of both parties have supported for over 30 years. And, we are here to show that as long as Mr. Castro and his brutal regime remain, he shall see no easing of that policy. That policy has been one of economic containment and diplomatic isolation. That policy has worked. It has isolated a brutal regime and restrained its ability to undermine stability around the world. Unfortunately, this policy has not forced Castro from power, nor eliminated his ability to cause mayhem about the world. Castro was still able to send his forces to Angola, prolonging that war as a payback to Castro's Soviet masters. Our containment policy did not prevent Castro's henchmen from conspiring with Latin American drug bosses to smuggle cocaine poison into our country. And, our policy did not prevent Castro from shooting down two unarmed airplanes in international airspace last week, killing four American citizens. But, Castro's behavior should never surprise us. His regime is built on oppression; his currency is flagrant disrespect for basic human rights. Now that Fidel Castro's tab at the Moscow cafe has been closed, we see how desperately his regime is to survive. Without rubles and oil, the dictator of Havana stands without the slightest shred of a functionary economy. Without his Soviet sponsors, Emperor Castro has no clothes.”