Speech #990232541

President. a little over 1 month ago America celebrated its birthday in magnificent fashion. I am referring to the festivities which took place on the Fourth of July in New York in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The celebration was a most fitting tribute to the lady in the harbor who has offered welcome to generations of immigrants searching for a better life in America. The Statue of Liberty epitomizes our long held belief in providing safe haven for the worlds oppressed and refuge for those fleeing political persecution. One hundred years after her inauguration. Miss Libertys torch still serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking a life of freedom and justice. It is unfortunate that recent U.S. policy has clouded Miss Libertys message of hope. In an effort to get the Cuban Government to reinstate the suspended December 14. 1984. immigration accord. our State and Justice Department officials were reported to be pursuing a policy of denying former political prisoners entry into the United States except under "exceptional circumstances." It was believed this would force the reinstatement of the immigration accord. In my opinion. this attempt to hold Castros feet to the fire has put the heat on the backs of innocent political prisoners. It is a misguided and ineffective policy. Recent reports have indicated that the State Department is now taking steps to speed up the visa application process for political prisoners. I realize the need to obtain an accurate record on the released political prisoners as well as the difficulty imposed by the suspension of the immigration agreement. However. I believe it needs to be made clear that pursuing a policy which denies entry to political prisoners is not going to accomplish anythingleast of all a reinstatement of the immigration accord. I have introduced Senate Resolution 432 in response to the plight of the Cuban political prisoners. While this resolution specifically names 17 recently released prisoners.