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THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                         (Camp David, Maryland)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                      July 18, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

On July 14, the President notified the Congress that he has decided to suspend for an additional six months implementation of provisions of Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act that allow legal actions to be brought against firms trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba. This action is taken in the national interest and because it is the best way to secure the Act's objective of a transition to democracy in Cuba.

During the past six months, the message to the Cuban Government from the international community has been more emphatic than ever. Both publicly and privately, key leaders pressed senior Cuban officials on the need for improved respect for human rights and increased democratic opening. The Administration devoted its full efforts to encourage and work with our allies and partners on effective steps to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba, in order to hasten the day when Cuba will join the community of democratic nations.

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