THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 3, 1997

                 TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
                 TO THE CHAIRMEN AND RANKING MEMBERS
          OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
            AND APPROPRIATIONS AND THE SENATE COMMITTEES 
               ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS

January 3, 1997

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Pursuant to subsection 306(c)(2) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-114), (the "Act"), I hereby determine and report to the Congress that suspension for 6 months beyond February 1, 1997, of the right to bring an action under Title III of the Act is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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