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HAAB Minutes 06/21/1995 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting June 21, 1995 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF JOINT MEETING OF THE LABPA, HAAB FORUM REGARDING CUBAN IMMIGRATION ISSUES June 21, 1995 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S MEETING ROOM 3RD FLOOR, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING COLLIER COUNTY GOVElUIMENT CENTER NAPLES, FLORIDA PRESENT: Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Members Latin-American Business and Professional Association Members Members of the Public The joint forum on CUban immigration issues sponsored by the Latin-American Business and Professional Association and the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board commenced at approximately 6:42 p.m. Introduction and welcome was provided by HAAB Chairman Anna Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez also introduced the panelists (Atty. Casey Wolff, Mr. Pedro Prado, a representative of the Cuban-American National Foundation, and Tom Fiedler, political editor of the Miami Herald). The moderator was Mr. Corbin Wyant, Publisher and President of the Naples Dailv News. Mr. Wyant began the proceedings by mentioning that in the last 12 months the changes that have occurred in Cuba were the greatest in 30 years. He also raised the question about whether foreign investment and economic activity in Cuba halO;. created competition with Southwest Florida for the tourism dollar. Each panelist began by making a brief presentation with his perspective of the Cuban immigration issue. Mr. Fiedler commented that immigration is now a very controversial topic. He predicted that the 1996 presidential campaign will have as a central theme immigration issues. He mentioned that a major complicating factor in immigration law and policy is the linkage of immigration and foreign policy. He commented that in his opinion President Clinton was treating the Cuban immigration issues the same as the immigration issues affecting other nationalities, but that the Cuban immigration issue was more controversial because of political complications. He also mentioned that he considered Castro to be "a survivor" and "chameleon" and that the united states may have to confront the issue of whether democracy is possible in Cuba with Castro still in power. Mr. Prado stated that the Cubans felt as if they had been used by the united states, given the drastic change in u.s. policy - 1 - towards Cuban immigration. He mentioned that Castro continues to insist on a communist system and that he is manipulating the immigration crisis to try to obtain an end to the embargo. He advocated continuing to keep the pressure on Castro through the embargo and other economic and political avenues and that this would, in turn, cause a transition away from the Castro regime from within Cuba. Mr. Prado also questioned why the media continues to treat Castro as a representative of the Cuban people, citing as an example a two-hour interview on CNN for Castro, yet no reporting on deaths of Cuban citizens. He predicted that there would be a "reverse immigration" if continued political and economic pressure caused Castro to fall from power. Attorney Casey Wolff commented that he had just returned from the Atlanta Immigration Conference which included attendance by u.s. government officials. He mentioned that all at the conference agreed that immigration was now a flaSh-point national issue. He mentioned that there was serious discussion about the shutting down of legal immigration due to illegal immigration activities. He cautioned that the United states should remember that this is a nation of immigrants and that diversity is the heart of the United states. He expressed a continued belief in the necessity for national immigration laws, while at the same time recognizing that immigration law is inherently political. Moderator wyant raised the question about a poll which showed that 75% of Floridians support the Clinton immigration policy toward Cuba. In response to Moderator Wyant's questions as well as to those of the public, each of the panelists made brief. statements: Mr. Fiedler: He stressed that it was a false premise that the media gives favorable treatment to Castro. He mentioned that. the picture of Cuba which is being presented by the media is of a once-proud nation deClining under Castro's rule. Mr. Fiedler also mentioned the need to distinguish between "refugees" and "immigrants. " He mentioned that true refugees are not being returned under the Clinton policy. He mentioned that the Clinton administration has actually reduced the number of dollars being allowed to enter Cuba.> beyond what prior administrations allowed. With regard to a nuclear plant being built in cuba, Fiedler mentioned that Cuba as a sovereign nation has an argument about its rights to build a non-military nuclear facility. He mentioned that the u.s. interest and discussions with Castro had to do with humanitarian and political/economic issues. He did not see a reasonable objection to negotiation, if negotiation were in the United states' interest. He also commented that he did not believe there was any political will in the united states to invade Cuba. Finally, he questioned whether the approach in Cuba should be as the United states is taking in China, which is to de-stabilize Communism in the country by allowing trade and consumerism. - 2 - Mr. Prado: He believed that Castro is being patronized by the media and that the media is attacking the Cuban right wing. Castro as a problem is not being emphasized by the media. He also believed that Castro could not be trusted to engage in a joint venture with the united states in an open economy and democracy. Mr. Prado rejected the notion that there was a distinction between CUban refugees and immigrants since he mentioned that all of the recent immigrants that he had interviewed had all mentioned the word "Liberty." He considered that the Clinton policy was in violation of the prior Cuban Adjustment Act. He stressed that the nuclear plant being built in Cuba is not being built to specifications. He predicted that Castro needs cash to stay in power and that if the United states continues the embargo, this will eventually drive Castro out of power. Mr. Wolff: perceptions affecting immigration law and policy must be corrected in local areas and cannot be corrected through the immigration service. He mentioned that the immigration law, even though in constant flux, must have some fair and consistent para- meters so that it can be a basis for stability in society. He stressed that it is a political and economic fact of life that countries often have to negotiate with repugnant leaders such as Castro. Each of the panelists offered Closing remarks. Mr. Prado stressed the concept of not abandoning prior principles and remaining firm with Castro. He said the Cuban immigration situation is special and deserved a different immigration approach. He did believe that the only possible exception was allowing Cubans to visit relatives in Cuba. He predicted that Castro would not change his system voluntarily and they would have to be forced out through a strong policy as has been done with other dictatorships. Mr. Wol ff mentioned that the united states' immigration system allows flexibility in policy. He stated that maybe it was the united states' compassion which causes it to adopt inconsistent or unfair prior immigration enforcement policies. He hoped that Congress would not overreact to the perceived immigration problem. Mr. Fiedler mentioned that there was no question that the united states had a special history with Cuba. He also predicted that the united states and Cuba would be closer-linked in a future shrinking world. He mentioned that the tragedy was that Castro stood as an obstacle to the United states-Cuba relationship. He said the only arguments are as to the most effective means of removing Castro and that there should continue to be recognized a difference between true refugees and immigrants. Moderator Wyant thanked all who participated and attended the Forum. - 3 - Yvette Saco, representing the Latin-American Business and Professional Association, also expressed her gratitude to the moderator, the panelists and the public for their attendance at the event. She stressed that education and information were the key to dealing with these issues. She also thanked the Board of County commissioners and the Collier County Sheriff's Department for their assistance in organizing the event. She stated that her organization intended to have future forums. y sub~itte~)': ~-.. r-;' ~/~ j2:~ru-~'C~-_Y< /~ZL~_ Ram 0 Maiialich> Staff Liaison to the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board APPROVED BY jUE HISPAijIC AFFAIRS BOARD ON ~ -re,... L_-"f- 7 ' .SJ~ .. - Rodrigue I Chairman of the Board ADVISORY 1995. RH/cs/5816 - 4 -