From: sangu@igc.apc.org (David Sangurima)
Newsgroups: alt.activism
Subject: NJ Article on CDA Passing House
Date: 26 Sep 92 02:59:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1296500381:000:3473
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!sangu    Sep 25 19:59:00 1992


From: David Sangurima <sangu>
Subject: NJ Article on CDA Passing House

/* Written  4:37 am  Sep 25, 1992 by fscofi in cdp:reg.cuba */
/* ---------- "NJ Article on CDA Passing House" ---------- */






HOUSE APPROVES TORRICELLI'S BILL ON CUBA         

ARTICLE FROM THE JERSEY JOURNAL
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1992

Article has picture of Torricelli and Jorge Mas Canosa of CANF
  
BY GABRIEL ONDETTI, JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

   WASHINGTON  -   The House of Representatives yesterday approved
a bill that could turn up the heat on Fidel Castro's already
troubled Cuban government.                

      Representative Robert Torricelli's Cuban Democracy Act was
approved in the House by a 276-135 vote. A parallel piece of
legislation was passed by the Senate last Friday as an amendment to
the Defense Authorization Bill.

     President Bush has endorsed and is expected to sign the bill,
which could be on his desk in "several days" according to a
spokesmen for Torricelli.

     "This is a signal to human rights dissenters in Cuba that
there is still tremendous resolve in this country to restore
democracy in Cuba," a pleased Torricelli said from an interview in
the capital last night.

       Members of the House and Senate met yesterday to hammer out
the final wording for the legislation. Once a consensus bill is
drafted, the full House and Senate must approve it.

       The Cuban Democracy Act is comprised of three main elements.
Most importantly it will make it more difficult for foreign
subsidiaries of American companies to trade with Castro. The total
value of such trade amounted to $718 million in 1991, according to
Torricelli's office.

     Second the Act will authorize AT & T to negotiate terms with
the Cuban Government to establish improved telephone communication.
Calls are now handled by shortwave radio and are expensive. It will
also allow direct mail service between the two countries.

      The Bill also establishes an official policy on re-
establishing diplomatic ties with Cuba based on the requirement of
"free and fair" elections conducted under international
supervision. It also contains provisions for furnishing emergency
aid to a transitional Cuban government.

      Officials of the influential Cuban American National
Foundation CANF expressed happiness over the house's approval of
the Act for which they lobbied hard, and some say helped draft.

     "This is a historic moment in Cuban history," said Foundation
chairman and founder Jorge Mas Canosa from Miami. "For the first
time there is a comprehensive US policy toward Cuba."

    "Castro," said Mas Canosa, "has to feel like a train hit him."

END OF ARTICLE





This is not a very thorough or good article, but since I saw no
article in the NY Times and I wanted people to be aware of the vote
I decided to post it. I will post more information and I hope
others will post info as more details become available on the vote,
the bargaining, the roll call, etc.




Frank Scofi
US Hands Off Cuba Committee - New Jersey
Legislative Committee


For updates on Legislation please contact:

The Cuba Information Project
121 West 27th Street, Room 1202A
New York, NY 10001
212-366-6703
They can provide you with up to the minute legislative updates, an
organizers packet,  lobby packets, books, and fact sheets as well
as their newsletter CUBA ACTION.


AND

The Legislative Working Group of the National Network on Cuba
P.O. Box 21744
Washington, DC 20009
202-986-1561
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