Roberts Calls for Cuban Reforms to Promote Trade

July 18, 2000

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) says Cuba must be viewed as a long-term trade partner, not a short term market. He called for economic and social reforms by Cuba and urged elimination of U.S. sanctions on Cuba. Roberts returned late Sunday from a three-day trip to Cuba that included a ten- hour meeting with President Fidel Castro. He was joined on the trip by Sens. Max Baucus (D- MT) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI).

"Opening Cuba as a market for U.S. goods and agricultural products depends on eliminating U.S. trade sanctions and restoring normal travel privileges for American citizens," Roberts said. "While that will be difficult in the short term, elimination of sanctions is gaining support in Congress."

Roberts warned that Cuba must make major economic and social changes before any trade can take place. "Trade with Cuba depends as much on Castro's government as it does on elimination of U.S. sanctions. Castro must take steps to economically empower his people and grant them basic freedoms and human rights."

Cuba lacks cash to buy products and for two decades has consistently defaulted on loans and credit guarantees. Cuba insists that trade be with the government and prohibits sales to private groups or individuals. Reforms are needed to rebuild the economy and generate the capital needed for normal trade, Roberts said.

Roberts and Baucus are authors of legislation that outlines steps toward normal trade status with Cuba. Senator Roberts long has pushed to eliminate unilateral trade sanctions on Cuba and other nations. Roberts said the three senators strongly urged Castro's Communist government to begin economic reforms that will allow Cuban citizens to profit from free trade and free market opportunities.

"There is still strong resistence by Castro to allow economic reforms or to give Cubans access to the free flow of information. But these reforms by Castro, as well as elimination of sanctions, are absolutely necessary before Cuba can become a market for American products. Both nations have erected stiff trade obstacles. They must be dismantled one by one. That will take cooperation, understanding and patience on both sides," he said.

Roberts described Castro as "an aging Communist revolutionary" still resistant to democracy and free-market economics but increasingly aware of how Cuba will fit into the information economy of the future.

"Our conversations with President Castro indicate he understands how the world is changing," r Roberts said. "What is not certain is how soon he--or a successor will allow Cuba to fully participate in these economic changes."

He noted that Castro may be resistant to change because he can blame U.S. sanctions for failures of his own government. "We need to remove all the excuses and we need to begin trade that will benefit both Cubans and Americans."

Roberts also said he was pleased that Castro has agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities on anti-drug efforts in the Carribean. "We discussed this effort at great length. He pledged cooperation and in fact is working with U.S. authorities to halt drug trafficking."