Rudy Giuliani

The Candidate submitted the following statement in lieu of questionnaire.

To The Cuban American National Foundation: Thank you for your questionnaire and for giving me the chance to address you directly on the topic of Cuba. I have a long record of admiration for the Cuban American community and commitment to the cause of bringing freedom and democracy to a Cuba without Castro.

I have a proven record of supporting the cause of freedom in Cuba, and of letting the world know that the Castro regime is not only a horrific dictatorship, but also an unacceptable danger to the security of the free world. As mayor of New York City, I did whatever I could to call attention to Fidel Castro's outlaw status. Back in 1995, for instance, I barred Fidel Castro from attending the U.N.'s 50th anniversary celebration. In my second term in office, I also renamed the intersection of 38th Street and Lexington Avenue, directly outside the headquarters of Castro's UN mission as "Brothers to the Rescue Corner," to honor those brave Cubans who were mercilessly shot out of the sky on orders from Raul Castro.

When it comes to U.S. policy towards the Castro regime, the main subject of your questionnaire, I stand firmly opposed to any changes that would benefit those who are currently in power, or lend them an aura of respectability. As I said in the essay “Toward a Realistic Peace" in Foreign Affairs magazine:

"The death of Fidel Castro may begin a new chapter in Cuban history. But America should take nothing for granted. It must stand ready to help the Cuban people reclaim their liberty and resist any step that allows a decrepit, corrupt regime from consolidating its power under Raul Castro. Only a commitment to free people and free markets will bring a prosperous future to Cuba and all of Latin America."

Recently, I visited the Museum of Brigade 2506 in Miami, where I spoke to surviving members of the Bay of Pigs invasion, their families, and friends. I will quote at length from that speech, for it touches on many of the issues in your questionnaire.

"Cuba, I hope and pray will move closer to freedom. We've got to look beyond Fidel Castro. And as we look beyond Fidel Castro we have to look beyond his brother Raul Castro. We can't have any illusions that one Castro is particularly different than the other. After all, they were both at each others side for all the horrible acts that occurred ...

The next American president has to have a plan of action to ensure that the death of Fidel Castro - who is the world's longest ruling dictator - leads to the rise of freedom and democracy. And the next American president needs to understand that succession to Raul Castro does not represent progress. He's been at Fidel's side from the beginning and all throughout. He has spent his career as head of the secret police. He has blood on his hands… his involvement in the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue, those brave pilots. It has to be fully explored, fully pursued, fully investigated, and can't just be ignored among the other things that he's done ...

As president, I'll continue my support of the Cuban-American community ... Now is the time to increase the pressure on the Castro regime, not weaken it in the naive hope that the Castros would change their character ... I don't understand those people who go there and embrace him and shake hands with him ignoring all of the atrocities ...

“Somehow they can't seem to grasp the truth of what he's all about. The latest evidence [of atrocities] ... happened just this December 6th when the police raided a church in Santiago: tear gassing and arresting teenagers who were wearing white bracelets that say 'Cambio' ... When churches are tear gassed and when teenagers are arrested for wearing wrist bands that say 'Cambio,' shouldn't the civilized world see clearly that the time for change, the time for a Cuba without Castro, any Castro- Fidel or Raul -has come?"

And it's time for America to make it clear that we will not accept attempts to preserve Castroism -in any form- either in Cuba or to see it spread to other parts of Latin America under the guise of Hugo Chavez. It's time for all of us to envision a future Cuba, a free Cuba, a Cuba after Castro, and a Cuba without Castro."

I am committed to doing everything possible to weaken and remove from power those corrupt leaders who have enslaved Cuba for nearly fifty years. Since the political situation is immensely fluid in Cuba at the moment - given the impending death of Fidel and the inevitable struggle for power that will take place as soon as he is gone - I understand there are many possible scenarios that might play out, and that each of these scenarios will demand a unique response. No matter what happens in Cuba in the months before the presidential election, I will be keeping a close eye on Cuba, assessing the challenges, and staying committed to policies that will foster change without compromise.

Specifically, my Administration will veto any and all legislation that calls for weakening or altering the Trade Embargo unless the following five objectives are met, unconditionally: (1) Open multi-party elections under the supervision of independent international observers; (2) The release of all political prisoners; (3) Respect for human rights; (4) A free independent press; and (5) A market economy.

Once I am President, you can rest assured that I will remain in close touch with the Cuban-American exile community while doing everything in my power to help create a new Cuba, prosperous and free from oppression, and once again, the genuine pearl of the Antilles.