The Cold War may be over but Fidel Castro has a way of getting Republican anti-communist juices flowing.
When word leaked Tuesday that some advisers to President Clinton want to ease some sanctions against Cuba, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., said he believes the noose around Castro should be tightened instead, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, R-N.C., agreed.Given the bipartisan disdain for Castro, Helms was mystified that anyone would want to do the Cuban president any favors.
"Why they would want to pick a fight on this is beyond me," a Helms aide said.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., called the draft proposal by Clinton's advisers "a big mistake." The administration is considering suspending the ban imposed last August on American households sending dollars to Cuban citizens.
After word about the policy reassessment was leaked, Helms defiantly rushed proposals to exert more economic pressure on Castro to the Senate floor.
Among other recommendations, Helms wants to internationalize the U.S. embargo against Cuba through U.N. Security Council action.