Speech #990000723

Positive steps in United StatesCuban relations have been recently made. On December 14 of last year. representatives of the United States and Cuba signed an agreement whereby Cuba will permit the repatriation of more than 2.700 undesirables from U.S. jails and mental institutions. In return the United States will resume its traditional practice of admitting Cuban political prisoners as well as permitting qualified Cubans to emigrate to this country. The successful dialog on immigration. which ends a 4year disagreement that began with the Mariel boatlift of 1980. could lead to fruitful discussions on free travel. cultural exchanges. and the resumption of economic and diplomatic relations. There remain sharp differences between the United States and Cuba. But if one thing is clear above all else. it is that we will not be able to address these questions in the absence of real progress toward normalized relations.