President Continues to Suspend Lawsuit Provision of Helms-Burton Act
President Bush notified Congress on January 14, 2005 that he will continue to suspend the provision in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (commonly referrred to as Helms-Burton Act)that would permit lawsuits to be filed by U.S. citizens whose property was expropriated by Cuba. The text of the letter from the President to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Committees on International Relations and Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations is as follows:
Dear Mr. Chairman:
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, 2005, 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