Page 1253 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 6062

dissidents, independent economists, and independent journalists, among others.

(15) The wave of repression against Concilio

Cubano, whose membership is committed to

peaceful democratic change in Cuba, included

arrests, strip searches, house arrests, and in

some cases sentences to more than 1 year in

jail.

(b) Statements by Congress

(1) The Congress strongly condemns the act of

terrorism by the Castro regime in shooting down

the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft on February

24, 1996.

(2) The Congress extends its condolences to

the families of Pablo Morales, Carlos Costa,

Mario de la Pena, and Armando Alejandre, the

victims of the attack.

(3) The Congress urges the President to seek,

in the International Court of Justice, indictment for this act of terrorism by Fidel Castro.

(Pub. L. 104–114, title I, §116, Mar. 12, 1996, 110

Stat. 803.)

SUBCHAPTER II—ASSISTANCE TO FREE

AND INDEPENDENT CUBA

§ 6061. Policy toward transition government and

democratically elected government in Cuba

The policy of the United States is as follows:

(1) To support the self-determination of the

Cuban people.

(2) To recognize that the self-determination

of the Cuban people is a sovereign and national right of the citizens of Cuba which must

be exercised free of interference by the government of any other country.

(3) To encourage the Cuban people to empower themselves with a government which

reflects the self-determination of the Cuban

people.

(4) To recognize the potential for a difficult

transition from the current regime in Cuba

that may result from the initiatives taken by

the Cuban people for self-determination in response to the intransigence of the Castro regime in not allowing any substantive political

or economic reforms, and to be prepared to

provide the Cuban people with humanitarian,

developmental, and other economic assistance.

(5) In solidarity with the Cuban people, to

provide appropriate forms of assistance—

(A) to a transition government in Cuba;

(B) to facilitate the rapid movement from

such a transition government to a democratically elected government in Cuba that results from an expression of the self-determination of the Cuban people; and

(C) to support such a democratically elected government.

(6) Through such assistance, to facilitate a

peaceful transition to representative democracy and a market economy in Cuba and to

consolidate democracy in Cuba.

(7) To deliver such assistance to the Cuban

people only through a transition government

in Cuba, through a democratically elected government in Cuba, through United States Government organizations, or through United

States, international, or indigenous nongovernmental organizations.

(8) To encourage other countries and multilateral organizations to provide similar assistance, and to work cooperatively with such

countries and organizations to coordinate such

assistance.

(9) To ensure that appropriate assistance is

rapidly provided and distributed to the people

of Cuba upon the institution of a transition

government in Cuba.

(10) Not to provide favorable treatment or

influence on behalf of any individual or entity

in the selection by the Cuban people of their

future government.

(11) To assist a transition government in

Cuba and a democratically elected government

in Cuba to prepare the Cuban military forces

for an appropriate role in a democracy.

(12) To be prepared to enter into negotiations with a democratically elected government in Cuba either to return the United

States Naval Base at Guantanamo to Cuba or

to renegotiate the present agreement under

mutually agreeable terms.

(13) To consider the restoration of diplomatic recognition and support the reintegration of the Cuban Government into InterAmerican organizations when the President

determines that there exists a democratically

elected government in Cuba.

(14) To take steps to remove the economic

embargo of Cuba when the President determines that a transition to a democratically

elected government in Cuba has begun.

(15) To assist a democratically elected government in Cuba to strengthen and stabilize

its national currency.

(16) To pursue trade relations with a free,

democratic, and independent Cuba.

(Pub. L. 104–114, title II, §201, Mar. 12, 1996, 110

Stat. 805.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in section 6062 of this title.

§ 6062. Assistance for Cuban people

(a) Authorization

(1) In general

The President shall develop a plan for providing economic assistance to Cuba at such

time as the President determines that a transition government or a democratically elected

government in Cuba (as determined under section 6063(c) of this title) is in power.

(2) Effect on other laws

Assistance may be provided under this section subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) Plan for assistance

(1) Development of plan

The President shall develop a plan for providing assistance under this section—

(A) to Cuba when a transition government

in Cuba is in power; and

(B) to Cuba when a democratically elected

government in Cuba is in power.

(2) Types of assistance

Assistance under the plan developed under

paragraph (1) may, subject to an authorization