(26 Feb 1996) English/Nat
President Clinton has taken steps to punish Cuba for shooting down two civilian planes from Florida.
Clinton announced measures that will affect economic, diplomatic and political ties with the communist state.
The steps will target Cuban aviation, including restrictions on U-S air travel to Cuba.
The Clinton administration moved today to punish Fidel Castro for the downing of two civilian U-S aircraft, pledging to impose a "price for outrageous behaviour".
In a briefing at the White House President Clinton described the incident as a "flagrant violation of international law".
SOUNDBITE: English
These small airplanes were unarmed and clearly so the Cuban authorities knew that. The planes posed no credible threat to Cuba's security although the planes had entered Cuban airspace in the past on other flights this is no excuse for the attack and provides - let me emphasise - no legal basis under international law for the attack. We must be clear this shooting of civilian aircraft out of the air was a flagrant violation of international law. It is wrong and the United States will not tolerate it. Saturday's attack is further evidence that Havana has become more desperate to deny freedom to the people of Cuba.
SUPER CAPTION: President Clinton
Clinton then went on to announce a series of measures he has imposed to punish Havana for shooting down the two planes.
He also gave his support to Congressional legislation tightening sanctions against Cuba as well as restrictions on travel between the two countries.
SOUNDBITE: English
I have ordered that Radio Marti extend its reach. All the people of Cuba must be able to learn the truth about the regime in Havana - the isolation it has earned itself for its contempt for basic human rights and international law. Fourth I am ordering that additional restrictions be put on travel in the United States for Cuban officials who reside here and that visits to our country by Cuban officials be further limited. Finally, all charter air travel from the United States to Cuba will be suspended indefinitely. These deliberate actions are the right ones at this time. They respond to Havana in a way that serves our goals of accelerating the arrival of democracy in Cuba but I am not ruling out any further steps in the future should they be required. Saturday's attack was an appalling reminder of the nature of the Cuban regime - repressive, violent, scornful of international law. In our time democracy has swept the globe from the Philippines exactly 10 years ago to central and eastern Europe to South Africa to Haiti to all but one nation in our hemisphere. I will do everything in my power to see that this historic tide reaches the shores of Cuba.
SUPER CAPTION: President Clinton
Clinton also expressed his sympathy to the relatives of the pilots, who are missing presumed dead.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
