5726 0-1-51 2 6 JuL 1990

The Honorable Connie Mack Senate Washington, D. C. 20515 Dear Senator Mack,

Thank you for your recent letter to Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney requesting a visit by the Jose Marti Post of the VFW to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on November 11. Secretary Cheney has asked me to reply in his behalf.

We are currently in the process of working the feasibility’ of this visit. As you can imagine, there are a host of agencies involved in coordinating such an effort as well as several sensitivities which need to be addressed.

My staff is in contact with each agency as well as officials from the Jose Marti Post. I anticipate that we will be able to make a determination regarding the visit soon. The Secretary of the Navy will advise you of the decision at the earliest opportunity.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a dynamic and honorable organization which merits our every consideration. Rest assured that we will make every effort to assist the post in this endeavor within the operational and budgetary constraints applicable.

Sincerely,

BRENT BAKER Rear Admiral, U.S.. Navy Chief of Information Blind copy to: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Mike Bilirakis Charlie Bennett Bill Grant Bill McCollum Harry Johnston Bill Lehman Tom Lewis Larry Smith roUH'tt 91 TH. t t i h i Z E Congress of the United S t a t e s w ashington, DC. 20515 June 14, 1990

The Honorable Dick Cheney Secretary of Defense The Pentagon Room 3E380 Washington, D C . 20301

Dear Mr. Secretary;

At a time when many countries are hanging a sign of democracy on their government, it is important that we remember our southern neighbors in Cuba who continue to agonize under fidel Castro's despotic regime, in a 1903 treaty, Cuba agreed to lease their southern city of Guantanamo Bay to the United States for the purpose of establishing a naval base. This treaty, which was renewed in 1934, can only be canceled by mutual agreement or voluntary withdrawal by the U.S.. Although Cuban dictator Fidel Castro demanded that the U.S.. relinquish Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in 1962, we have maintained our position and our hope for Cuban independence

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.., Jose Marti Post No. 10212 would like to commemorate the hope of freedom in a special ceremony remembering veterans who sacrificed their lives for our liberty. We, members of the Congressional Delegation, are requesting permission for this group to travel to and from Naval Base Guantanamo Bay on a privately chartered plane on Veterans' Day, November 11.

With authorization of this ceremony, the need to continue fighting for the emancipation of all peoples will be acknowledged Our military presence at Guantanamo Bay represents a glimmer of hope to all people who have suffered oppression and continue to do so. Please help to retain their hope for liberty with a Veterans Day ceremony at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay .

S sincerely Connie Mack. Senator Connie Mack Charlie Bennett Charlie Bennett, M. C. Dance Fascell, M. C Mike Bilirakis, M. C.

Earl Hutto, M. C. 3 ill Grant M .c.

Harry Johnston , M .c. Bill McCollum, MAC.

Nelson Bill Nelson, M. C. Porter Goss, M.C.

Cliff Stearns M.C. Bill Lehman M.C.

Larry Smith M. c . Sam Gibbons, M.C.

Bill Young M . C . Tom Lewis , M .C.

Craig James M.C. Clay Shaw M.C.