Bush Strengthens Cuba Embargo

W A S H I N G T O N, July 13 -- President Bush today ordered stricter enforcement of afour-decade-old trade embargo against communist-led Cuba andpledged his support for pro-democracy opposition.

The move was seen as an attempt to offset criticism byCuban-Americans of a decision expected next week to suspend fora further six months the right of U.S. firms to sue foreigncompanies doing business with expropriated properties in Cuba.

In a statement issued on the seventh anniversary of thesinking of a Cuban tugboat whose 72 passengers were trying toflee Cuba, Bush said sanctions against Cuba were not just apolicy tool but a "moral statement."

"Seven years ago today, a tugboat carrying 72 people offthe coast of Cuba…was repeatedly rammed by Cuban authoritiesresulting in 41 deaths, including 10 children," Bush said.

"The tyranny that rules Cuba today bears directresponsibility for this and other crimes — crimes, that shouldnot go unpunished, against innocent civilians and countlessother human rights violations over the years," he said.

NGOs to Work on Pro-Democracy Programs

Bush said he asked the Treasury Department to enhance andexpand enforcement capabilities of the Office of Foreign AssetsControl to improve sanctions implementation against Cuba.

"It is important that we uphold and enforce the law to thefullest extent with a view toward preventing unlicensed andexcessive travel, enforcing limits on remittances and ensuringhumanitarian and cultural exchanges actually reachpro-democracy activists in Cuba," he said.

Bush, who has embraced congressional efforts to fund Cubandissidents and overcome jamming of pro-democracy, U.S.-fundedRadio and TV Marti broadcasts to Cuba, also ordered additionalfunding for nongovernmental organizations to work onpro-democracy programs in Cuba.

By Monday Bush must decide whether he will extend apolitically sensitive suspension of a provision in the 1996Helms-Burton act that allows U.S. citizens to sue anyonedealing in properties seized after Cuban leader Fidel Castrotook power in 1959.