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a long friendship between our people, but Viva Libre. only if the Castro regime sees the light. Cuba’s independence was achieved a NOTE: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m. in century ago. It was hijacked nearly half a the East Room at the White House. In his century ago. Yet, the independent spirit of remarks, he referred to President Fidel Cas- the Cuban people has never faltered, and tro of Cuba. He also referred to Operation it has never been stronger than it is today. Pedro Pan, a 1960s immigration program in The United States is proud to stand with which thousands of Cuban children were all Cubans and all Cuban Americans who sent to the United States by their parents. love freedom. And we will continue to The Office of the Press Secretary also re- stand with you until liberty returns to the leased a Spanish language transcript of these land you love so well. remarks.

Remarks on the 100th Anniversary of Cuban Independence in , May 20, 2002

The President. Thank you very much. I want to thank mi hermano—mi Sientense. Voy a hablar en Espan˜ol hoy, hermanito—[laughter]—y el gran Goberna- pero no. No. [Laughter] No quiero destruir dor de este estado. Thank you, Jeb. We un idioma que bonita, y por eso voy a love you y mi cun˜ada bella. [Laughter] I hablar en Ingles. [Laughter] Thank you for love being with my family. I love being having me. God bless you all, and thanks with my family. There’s nothing more im- for coming. It is such an honor—it is such portant than family in life, and I love my an honor—for me to be here today with brother Jeb a lot. so many who love freedom. I’m honored to be with a great Amer- One hundred years ago, a proud island ican, a great American who is a graduate people declared independence and put of Pedro Pan, Mel Martinez, who brings Cuba on a democratic course. We’re here a big difference in our Cabinet. [Applause] today to celebrate this important anniver- I didn’t realize Mel had that many cousins. sary. We are here today to honor the Cu- [Laughter] bans and Cuban Americans who strengthen I want to thank the two United States America with their character and with their Senators from Florida for being here, Sen- enterprise. We are here today—we are here ator Graham and Senator Nelson. I’m hon- today to proclaim loudly and clearly to the ored that you’re here. Thank you all for entire world—to todos—that the Cuban coming. I appreciate working with Senator people’s love of liberty cannot and will not Graham and his important job of chairing be denied. the Intelligence Committee in the United Audience members. [Inaudible] States Senate. I want to thank two fine The President. Not only today will we Congressmen, Ileana Ros y Lincoln Diaz- remind the world how much we love free- Balart. dom and long for freedom, but I also want I can’t—listen, every time I see and hear to talk about a proposal and a challenge Gloria Estefan sing, it makes my heart feel that will help put Cuba on the path to better. Gloria, thank you, and it’s good to freedom. see Emilio. And I appreciate Jon Secada

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as well. Jon, you did a great job. Thank people can realize their dreams. The suc- you very much—honored you’re here. cess stories are unbelievable and unbeliev- I appreciate Vicki Huddleston, our Am- ably powerful. People have escaped a jail bassador, Principal Officer at the U.S. In- and have come to America and have suc- terests Section in , for being here. ceeded and have been able to raise their Vicki, thank you for coming—appreciate families and have been able to prosper. It’s you. I’m honored to be traveling today with a wonderful part of the American story. Otto Reich, the Under Secretary for the But it’s not just a story of the elderly State Department. Dr. Elsa Murano is here and the older Cuban Americans; it’s a story today as well, who is in my administration. throughout generations. I want to talk Thank you, Elsa, for being here. Where about Miguel Arguelles, who came to are you? Thank you, Doc—appreciate you America in 1995, at age 10 years old. At coming. Emilio Gonzalez, the Director of age 10, he couldn’t speak English. A few the Western Hemisphere Affairs of the Na- weeks from now, he’ll graduate as the val- tional Security Council—where are you, edictorian of Miami Lakes’ Barbara Colonel? Yes, Emilio. He’s on my National Goleman Senior High School. He comes Security Council. He reports directly to in 1995; he is going to be the first person Arroz—[laughter]—Senorita Arroz. [Laugh- to have graduated from that high school ter] to attend Harvard University. Today, when I landed in Miami, I got I want to read what Miguel wrote in off the airplane there and had a chance his application essay, and I want all Ameri- to meet a young man named Emilio J. cans from all backgrounds to listen to what Rodriguez. Emilio is with us today. Emilio, this young man said. He said he was born stand up for a second. [Applause] The rea- in a place where the sun shines brightest son I bring up Emilio is, I say oftentimes and drowns in tears, where Santa Claus to Americans who want to—how best they has not the visa to enter and dreams cannot can participate in our country, how best escape their prison of nonexistence, where to fight evil is to do some good, is to love hopes are shattered and religion is an en- a neighbor like you’d like to be loved your- dangered species, where freedom is in self. If you’re interested—if you’re inter- shackles. ested in helping define our Nation to the I love how you put that. It’s essential world and if you’re interested in resisting that—Miguel, that you not only succeed, evil, do some good. And that’s what Emilio but it’s essential that we remember the does. He is a 19-year-old honor student shackles of freedom that Miguel wrote at Miami-Dade Community College. He about, that there are people whose lives volunteers in park cleanup programs. He are being disrupted because Cuba is not does art shows for children, and he hosts free. I want to thank you for your poign- activities at a school for mentally challenged ancy. Cuban American children. For this, we’re And the shackles that this young man grateful for your service. Thank you for wrote about are an insult—an insult—to being here. the Cuban independence dreamed of by The accomplished individuals I just Felix Varela and generations of Cuban pa- named are just a small handful of over a triots. They’re an insult. The shackles he million fellow Americans from Cuban de- wrote about are an insult to Jose Marti, scent who make such an incredibly impor- who sacrificed his life for a great principle. tant contribution to our country. So, as on No, we stand here today to declare loud the one hand we—we celebrate independ- and clear to the entire world: Cuba must ence, but we also celebrate the greatness not only be independent; Cuba must be of America that opens her doors so that free.

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One hundred years ago, Cuba declared lations with the United States. Cuba is her independence. And nearly 50 years ago, scheduled to hold elections to its National nearly a half century ago, Cuba’s independ- Assembly in 2003. I challenge Cuba’s Gov- ence and the hopes for democracy were ernment to make these elections free and hijacked by a brutal dictator who cares ev- to make them fair. erything for his own power and nada for To make them free and fair, they must the Cuban people. In an era where markets give opposition candidates the freedom to have brought prosperity and empowerment, organize, assemble, and speak. They must this leader clings to a bankrupt ideology give them the chance to open up the air- that has brought Cuba’s workers and farm- waves, so they can get their message out ers and families nothing—nothing—but iso- to the people. To make them free and fair, lation and misery. I was amazed to read they must release all political prisoners so in this modern era, the Cuban regime they can participate in the elections. In banned the sale of computers to the public. order to make sure we know if they’re free What does that tell you? In an era where and fair, they must let human rights organi- every other nation in our hemisphere has zations into Cuba, to make sure that the chosen the path to democracy—every na- elections are free and fair. Once the 2003 tion in our hemisphere has chosen the path elections are certified as free and fair by to democracy—this leader instead chooses international monitors, once Cuba begins to jail, to torture, and exile Cuban people the process of meaningful economic re- for speaking their minds. form, then and only then I will explore But the amazing thing is, through all the ways with the United States Congress to pains—through all the pains—the Cuban ease economic sanctions. people’s aspirations for freedom are For 43 years—for 43 years—every elec- undiminished. We see this today in Havana, tion in Cuba has been a fraud and a sham. where more than 11,000 brave citizens have Mr. Castro, once, just once, show that petitioned their Government for a ref- you’re unafraid of a real election. Show the erendum on basic freedoms. If that ref- world you respect Cuba’s citizens enough erendum is allowed, it can be a prelude to listen to their voices and to count their to real change in Cuba. votes. Start to release your chokehold on This country has no designs on Cuba’s the working people and on enterprise. sovereignty. We have no designs on the Then and only then will we talk about eas- sovereignty of Cuba. But we’ll continue to ing sanctions and not before. be a strong and consistent supporter of the The goal of the United States, the goal Cuban people’s aspirations for freedom. of our policy towards Cuba is not a perma- And nowhere is that support stronger than nent embargo on Cuba’s economy; our goal right here in the streets of Miami, Florida. is freedom for Cuba’s people. Full normal- The support will never waive here, and it’s ization of relations with Cuba, diplomatic not going to waive in my heart, either. For recognition, open trade, and a robust aid how long it takes—after all, we fight for program will only—only—be possible when freedom here in America. We love free- Cuba has a new Government that is fully dom. We love what freedom means. It is democratic, when the rule of law is re- the cornerstone of our country, and there- spected, and when the human rights of all fore, we will never stop in our search for Cubans are protected. ways to advance freedom in Cuba. Under the new initiative for Cuba— Earlier today, in la Casa Blanca, I an- under this new Initiative for a New Cuba, nounced an initiative for a new Cuba that the United States recognizes that freedom offers Cuba’s Government a way forward, sometimes grows step by step, and we will toward democracy and hope and better re- encourage those steps. You need to know

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that I feel so strongly about freedom—I ernment must allow employers to hire who mean, the current of history runs toward they want to hire, as opposed to those on freedom; eventually, it’s not going to be a special list. Economic reform means that denied. And our plan is to accelerate free- when workers earn hard currency, they get dom in Cuba in every way possible. We’ll to keep the hard currency, as opposed to work to encourage freedom within Cuba it going to the Cuban Government. We by making life better for people living know what the Cuban Government’s up to. under and resisting the Castro regime. So, We trade in hard currency; they pay in today I want to talk about some steps we pesos and keep the difference. And there- can take, the beginning of some important fore, without meaningful reform, trade with steps. Cuba would do nothing more than line the My administration will ease restrictions pockets of and his cronies. on humanitarian assistance from legitimate Audience members. Cuba si, Castro no! U.S. religious and other nongovernmental Cuba si, Castro no! Cuba si, Castro no! organizations that directly serve the needs The President. I say reform because we of the Cuban people, and to help build care about the people. We want to re- a Cuban civil society. The United States form—insist upon reform so the people will will provide such groups with direct assist- benefit. We hurt for the people in Cuba. ance that can be used for humanitarian and We long for a day when they realize the entrepreneurial activities. Our Government same freedoms we have here in America. will offer scholarships in the United States I want you to understand that I know what for Cuban students and professionals who trade means with a tyrant. It means that are trying to build independent civil institu- we will underwrite tyranny, and we cannot tions. And we will offer scholarships to the let that happen. And I also want you to children of political prisoners. We’re willing know I will not allow our taxpayers’ money to negotiate direct mail service between the to go to enrich the Castro regime, and I’m United States and Cuba. My administration willing to use my veto. will also continue to look for ways to mod- The initiative I’ve just—the initiative I’ve ernize Radio and TV Marti. outlined today offers the Cuban Govern- These are beginning steps. We’ll listen ment a way forward, a way towards democ- to the leaders in the community for innova- racy, a way towards prosperity, a way to- tive ways to continue the inevitable march wards respect. The choice now rests with and to hasten the inevitable march toward Mr. Castro. freedom. Audience members. Boo-o-o! Mr. Castro must now act. He has his The President. If Mr. Castro does not chance. He’s been given an opportunity. allow free elections, he will be protecting We will continue to enforce economic sanc- his cronies at the expense of his people. tions and ban the travel to Cuba until And eventually—and eventually—despite all Cuba’s Government shows real reform. his tools of oppression, Castro will need Audience members. Cuba si, Castro no! to answer to his people. Cuba si, Castro no! Cuba si, Castro no! Ten years before Cuba achieved inde- The President. And when we—when I pendence, Jose Marti wrote this: ‘‘If our talk about economic reform—when I talk suffering homeland could see the care with about economic reform, I mean real eco- which her absent children are preparing to nomic reform. The Government must allow serve her, if our homeland could see the for workers to be able to organize in unions tenderness with which she is loved by her outside of the control of the Government. children in exile, the joy of their faith and The Government must respect private her pride at once would give her the property. Economic reform means the Gov- strength to break her chains at last.’’

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Those words, written a long time ago, Thank you all for coming. Viva Cuba apply with equal power today. The dream libre! of a free and independent Cuba has been deferred, but it can never be destroyed, NOTE: The President spoke at 3:10 p.m. at and it will not be denied. the James L. Knight Center. In his remarks, For those listening on Radio Marti, it’s he referred to Gov. of Florida and important for you to know the United his wife, Columba; entertainers Gloria States stands with the Cuban people, not Estefan and Jon Secada; Gloria Estefan’s just on Independence Day but on every husband, producer Emilio Estefan, Jr.; day—every day. Every day we stand with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety Elsa A. Murano; National Security Ad- those who reject tyranny and torture and viser Condoleezza Rice; and President Fidel embrace liberty and life. Every day we Castro of Cuba. He also referred to Oper- stand with the plantados in prison con- ation Pedro Pan, a 1960s immigration pro- fronting illegitimate power with righteous gram in which thousands of Cuban children truth. Every day we stand with the Cuban were sent to the United States by their par- families everywhere seeking a better future. ents. The Office of the Press Secretary also Every day we cultivate ‘‘una rosa blanca’’ released a Spanish language transcript of for Cuba’s freedom. these remarks.

Interview With Claus Kleber of ARD German Television May 21, 2002

President’s Upcoming Visit to Germany place where people feel free to express Mr. Kleber. Mr. President, ‘‘George themselves, because that’s what I believe Bush’’ is probably the best name a man in. can carry to Berlin—— And so I’m looking forward to my visit. The President. Oh, well, thank you. I’m going to have a great visit with the Mr. Kleber. ——given the achievements Chancellor. I’ll be at the Bundestag, and of your father, especially. But still, the city, I look forward to a speech there that talks right now, even as we speak, is bracing, about the importance of our relationship; expecting huge demonstrations. And the that is, the relationship between Germany largest police force in the history of the and America and what we can do together. city has been mobilized to protect you. I’m anxious—I’ve never been to Ger- The President. Thank you. many, so I’m anxious to go, and I’m looking Mr. Kleber. Not only against terrorism— forward to it. yes, I guess. It is not only about the terror Mr. Kleber. It’s too bad that the Presi- threat, which of course is on everybody’s dent never gets to really see a city like mind. Berlin. The President. Sure. The President. Yes. Mr. Kleber. But also, thousands of dem- Mr. Kleber. There’s always this security onstrators of all colors, more than ever be- around. fore. Have you been made aware of that? The President. The bubble. The President. No. I—but that’s good. Mr. Kleber. Yes. That’s democracy. See, I love to visit a The President. That’s true. And that’s place that is confident in her freedom, a part of my life; that’s part of the—that’s

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