Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton William Clinton was born on August 19, 1946, in Hope Arkansas. As the President of the United States, his policy towards Cuba has varied greatly and been affected by the changing political climate of the United States, as well as international pressure.

Clinton says his policies are intended to bring democracy to Cuba. One of his first actions to that end, taken in December of 1994, banned the CIA from performing covert operations in Cuba. They were no banned from recruiting new agents to deploy in Cuba, harming the Cuban government, and operating an anti-Castro propaganda radio station.

In 1996, after the downing of Brothers to the Rescue airplanes, Clinton increased peaceful spying efforts. More importantly, he agreed to sign the Helms-Burton Act.

"We seek peaceful democratic change in Cuba. Until we see results, there will be no concessions to Castro."

The Helms-Burton Act restricted trade with Cuba for countries all over the world. It penalizes foreign companies for trading with Cuba.

Clinton has on many occasions waived enforcement of the Act. For insance, Title III allows Americans to sue companies that have profited off nationalized property; Clinton has seldom allowed such suits to go through.

Clinton's main reason for not permitting such lawsuits is to quiet dissent from the European Union, which is angry because the bill violates international law and hurts the Cuban people.

In March of 1998, Clinton made some alterations to the embargo on Cuba. Their main purpose was to ease restrictions on humanitarian relief organizations. The bans on trade and tourism still stood. Cuban President Fidel Castro was outraged, saying that the US was treating Cuba as a charity case rather than allowing it to trade freely.