Speech #880066343

Personally. I share the skepticism of the Senator from Kentucky voiced in his excellent statement in this Chamber on June 13. about the effectiveness of this imposing assignment given to our fleet and air units. especially in light of periodic reports of such clandestine movements that we are pledged to prevent. The difficulties involved in preventing any such movements from an island the size of Cuba can be seen in reverse perspective by the refugees who have conducted attacks on Cuban territory. or even more dramatically by the inability of the East Germans and Russians to prevent escapes from East Berlin. As the President pointed out in his news conference of March 6. the control of the movement of persons to and from Cuba "is an action which must be taken by each of the countries in Latin America." He said. further: This is the kind of thing which each country finally has to do itself. because it is part of the element of sovereignty that the control of movement is within the country of citizenship. Thus. as the President indicated. the effectiveness of more stringent control measures is predicated upon their implementation and enforcement by all member states of the OAS. and particularly all Latin American States.