President Bush sent a letter to congressional leaders on January 16, 2004, to report his finding that a six-month suspension of the Title III provision of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996 is in the United States' national interest and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.

Title III of the Libertad Act grants U.S. citizens the right to bring suit against persons trafficking in confiscated properties in Cuba, whenever a claim to those properties is held by a U.S. citizen. This provision has been waived by successive U.S. administrations in order to work with U.S. allies on developing a multilateral approach to advance democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
January 16, 2004

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRMEN AND RANKING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AND THE CHAIRMEN AND RANKING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS AND FOREIGN RELATIONS

January 16, 2004

Dear (Mr. Chairman:) (Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:)

Consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-114), (the "Act"), I hereby determine and report to the Congress that suspension for 6 months beyond February 1, 2004, of the right to bring an action under Title III of the Act is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH