And i would suggest that a year from now, the notion that we would reverse this policy that is allowed more americans to travel to cuba and to help cuban people have access to more technology more capital more values and more contact with americans will seem as absurd as reversing the changes that were made with cuban American Travel a couple of years ago. So again, i applaud you for what youre doing and look forward to working with the administration as this policy unfolds. Thank you, senator menendez. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me ask you when a cubanamerican sends or visits their relatives in cuba and give them a lit money, the only place really to buy something is the dollar store isnt is that true . If you want to get something . I believe certainly theres theres more in those stores to buy. By the way, who owns the Dollar Stores . They are state run. Okay. The government. And so if i want to send a remittance to my relative in cuba, the cuban government takes a slice, right . They do but the relatives probably want a part of that anyway. Lets not deny the cuban government is greatly enriched by these resources, which is why it has been its number one Foreign Policy objective. Lets talk about what full diplomatic relations are. Youre going to having this discussion tomorrow i understand. What normalized relations are. The Washington Post ran a story suggesting that the talks to restore diplomatic relations were held up because they were unwilling to allow us to send secured shipments to a secured embassy and number of staff necessary to operate a future embassy and unwilling to remove the military presence around a future embassy. Let me ask you would the state department to agree to establish a embassy in havana in all diplomats arent able to travel freely through cuba . Senator, what i can tell you, we have to have an embassy where diplomats can get out and travel and see the country and talk to people. We have restrictions on the way our Embassy Travel in terms of notification to governments in many countries around the world that range from 24 hours to ten days. We are going to do Everything Possible to make sure that we have the least restrictions possible but our we will accept restrictions that all of our diplomats and embassy would be able to travel through the country . We will make sure that the embassy is on a par with the way we operate in other places that are restrictive environments but would you agree to conditions in which we cant send secure shipments to supply a future embassy without the regime rifling through them . Senator, im not going to necessarily layout all of the negotiations for why not . Wait a minute. Senator, let me do we not have a United States congress have the right to understand how you are trying to establish diplomatic relations. The nation needs to know in what conditions were going to have or not have relationship. Are you going to allow the cubans to rifle through your diplomatic with impunity or insist you can send something to the embassy as we do in other places in the world. We believe in the viability of the diplomatic pouch and its critical to resupply a future embassy and important to supply the building now that has maintenance and upkeep. Thats a critical part of our discussion. Will you accept conditions less than that . We wont accept conditions in which we cant securely supply our facilities. Would you agree to open an embassy if you arent granted a number of staff you need to operate it efficiently . Not if we cant have the number of staff we believe we need, no. Are you willing to open an embassy of the castro regime doesnt remove its military cordon from around the building which is basically a way to intimidate average cubans from approaching our facility . We will not open an embassy unless we believe that the security outside the embassy is appropriate to protect our installation but we will also make sure that it is welcoming of cubans into the installation as an embassy, the way we do around the world. Let me ask you, you agreed with me ultimately that the castro regime statement as to relates to that they have never supported, never supported any act of International Terrorism is not true. So if you agree that these statements by the castro regime are cat gorically false how can you explain to the committee why you would think you can believe any assurances about the regimes current or future conduct if they both face lied in the first place . What we were looking at in the assurances is not necessarily whether or not their assertions on behalf of all reported history for the cuban government are we agree with every statement of the past, what we have to look at is what the requirements are under the law, which talk about the rejection of International Terrorism, which they have made and lack of Police Support or any evidence for support International Terrorism. Partially lie to you but not fully lie senator, we have differences in what we they do not believe they have ever supported International Terrorism. They sent you a letter and the state department quoted that particular section which its incredible to believe that section you buy into. The red cross under the president s announcement was supposed to have access to cuban jails, has that taken place . We do not say the red cross would have access what you announced they would have i understand it was access to cuban jails. I dont believe we ever said that the cubans had agreed to that. What we said was that we were hoping that International Organizations wouldry new their discussions with the cuban government about those issues, including the red cross and u. N. Has the red cross been able to get in freely . Not that i know. Last question. We talk about Telecom Access and a lot has been discussed about that. In late february, the first Vice President who senator boxer referred to as the looks like he would be the next heir in the election. Theres no election, its a selection, can we agree on that . We can agree that what the cuban government calls an election is not what we believe meets international standards. Its the Cuban Communist Party and thats it. He gave a long rambling speech, the second highest official in the cuban government about the internet in cuba. The affirmation that the regimes internet strategy would be led by the communist party. Given the communist partys half century long effort to deprive the cuban people of the most minimal standards of freedom of the press and information would you have the committee believe that the communist party wont make every possible effort to block access to all content that it deems undesirable similar to what we have seen in other closed societyies around the world . When more people have access to the internet, even if governments try to prevent them seeing things they dont want them to, they are remarkably inventive in finding ways to do so. Let me ask you this. Can we have your assurances that the state department and the United States government will take all possible steps to ensure that the cuban people have access to sir couple navigation technologies to get around regime censorship. If were going to say we want u. S. Companies to develop this infrastructure in cuba, certainly we could have technologies so the cuban people are truly free to see any site they want. Certainly i hope that the majority and vast majority or all of the cuban people will have complete access to the continue internet. Im asking you if were going to license companies under the libe rta d act cant we make a condition of that license that they have navigation technologies so senator flake and udall and mark, everyone who wants access to the internet, were in common cause on that, actually can get access to the internet . Whats so difficult about suggesting the technology . I dont know we can do that but i know any condition we want as a condition of sale. I wrote that section of law when i was in house of representatives. I know what it says and you can put conditions on it. I hope to hear back from you whether you will insist on that as an ability to have u. S. Companies if we want access for the cuban people to have the internet, which i do. I do as well senator, but i also want them to be able to have those deals go through and to make it the most effective way that more on the island can have access a deal without full access to the internet is a deal to an end without access to the critical information that we think can help liberate the cuban people. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Any other questions . I want to thank the committee again. I know theres a lot of adverse views about this proposed new policy. And actually a policy thats being implemented and i want to thank the witnesses for being here. If you would, the record will be open without objection to the close of business thursday if youd answer promptly, we would appreciate it. We thank you for your service to our country. With that, were adjourned. You can watch this hearing on u. S. Policy towards cuba as well as the president s announcement from a few months ago on our website, cspan. Org. Well go live now to new london, connecticut as president obama ais ending the Graduation Ceremony u. S. Coast guard academy. We join his commencement address to graduates. Its about what we can give to this world. Cadets, youre at the start of your careers. If we cannot know how many days well walk this earth we cant guarantee were going to live to 100. All we can do is live each day to its fullest. What we can do is look squarely at what will make the biggest difference for future generations. And be willing to tackle those challenges. As you embark on your life and man your stations and head to the seas and take to the skies, should the sea begin to surge and waves swell and wind blows hard against your face i want you to think back to this moment to feel what you feel in your hearts today. If you remember all that youve learned here and how you came here and came together out of many to achieve a team you could never do alone, if you resolve to stay worthy of traditions that endure honor, respect, devotion to duty, if you heed the wisdom and humility, of petty officer second class from oklahoma to think not of yourself but what you can give to this world. Im confident youll rise to meet the challenges that not only face our country but face our planet. Your legacy will be a nation that is stronger and safer for generations to come. The class of 2015 thank you for your service. Congratulations. God bless you and god bless all our coast guardsmen and god bless the United States of america. Thank you. [ applause ] on behalf of the academy, thank you mr. President for your service to this great nation and for being here with us today. I would now like to present the United States coast guard band conducted by williamson who will perform a medley of marches. All members of the past and present military are invited to stand as they pay their respected services anthem. [ applause ] thank you, commander williamson and members of the coast guard band. At this time im pleased to introduce the dean of academics who will present the candidates for degrees. [ applause ] mr. President mr. Secretary, admiral, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Will the candidates for the degree of bachelor of science please rise. [ applause ] as dean of academics, i have the honor of presenting to you kand dalgts for the degree of bachelor of science. They have been examined and approved by the faculty. I confer upon each of you bachelor of science and admit you to the ranks and privileges. Congratulations to the class of 2015. Well done [ applause ] class of 2015, preez be seated. Im pleased to introduce jim mccally who will present the candidates for commission in the United States coast guard. Mr. President , mr. Secretary admiral zune cost ladies and gentlemen and members of the class of 2015, good afternoon. I have the honor of presenting to you the candidates for the commission of enson in the United States coast guard, they have met all military requirements. At this time i invite you to administer the oath of office to those being commissioned in the United States coast guard. Being commissioned in the United States coast guard please rise, raise your right hand and repeat after me. Having been appointed to the grade of enson in the United States coast guard, i do solemnly swear that i will support and defend the constitution of the United States. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic domestic. That i will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That i take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. And that i will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of which im about to enter. So help me god. You may lower your right hand. As i look upon the class of 2015 you took an oath four years ago the oath you have just taken today as commissioned you as ensons in the greatest coast guard on the face of this earth, the United States coast guard. Congratulations. [ applause ] please be seated. Thank you admiral. We will now present the graduating class with their diplomas and commissions. As each graduate approaches the platform today he or she is being presented with a gift by the Alumni Association presenting the class of 2015 challenge calling will be andrea marsil and class of 2015 representative mr. Gene bowen, Coast Guard Academy class of 1965. The degrees of bachelor of science will be presented by the superintendent rear admiral sandra l. Stowes, commissions presented by our commander in chief, president barack obama. [ applause ] captain jim mccally will announce the name to the unit which each is assigned. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my deep personal honor to name each graduate, their academic honors and future assignment. Since its founding in 1876 the United StatesCoast Guard Academy graduated leaders of character in service to our nation. Out of respect for each graduate, please hold all sounds of acknowledgements and applause until the last graduate has crossed the stage. At that time well give them the thunderous round of applause they so richly deserve. David quinton anderson, portsmouth virginia, his commission will be presented business his father colonel Nicholas Anderson u. S. Army retired. Nino an ban Philippine Coast guard, manila philippines. Kendall ray oth graduating with honors alameda, california, her commission will be presented by her brother, lieutenant grade trevor hoff u. S. Coast guard. Avery lane ayers, graduating with honors, portsmouth virginia. Mckay la may back ka graduating with honors deck watch officer, cape canaveral, florida. Courtney nicole bailey, graduating with honors deck watch officer san francisco, california. Nicholas james barn quet, student engineer seattle washington. Ethan thomas beard, graduating with high honors, marine inspector prevention department, sector new Orleans New Orleans louisiana. Laura marie bellam deck watch officer, cutter decisive mississippi. Megan nicole benson, graduating with honors deck watch officer, pensacola, florida. Daniel joseph deck watch officer, portsmouth virginia. Christina michelle billado, student engineer port angeles, washington. Her commission will be presented by her grandfather, clair walter Lieutenant Colonel, u. S. Air force retired. Aaron black Virginia Beach, virginia. Elise morgan bobchinxi graduating with high honors, honolulu hawaii. Matthew francis bogden graduating with honors, student engineer, key west, florida. His commission will be presented by his brother lieutenant junior grade andrew ogden, u. S. Coast guard. Victoria rose bornlg us, deck watch officer, cape canaveral, florida. Richard choi brady, graduating with honors student engineer, cutter seneca boston massachusetts. Matthew morguean brigham seattle, washington. His commission will be presented by his mother Katherine Brigham captain Major Air Force retired. Portsmouth virginia. Bradley shea brown, graduating with high honors deck watch officer, cutter stratton, alameda, california. His commission will be presented by his grandfather james brown, commander u. S. Navy retired. Robert brown, deck watch officer, cutter northland portsmouth virginia. Richard hayden burns, cutter mellon seattle, washington. Ryan james booiz cutter tampa portsmouth virginia. Anthony allen wazeenny, charleston, south carolina. Shawn ka bral, Philippine Coast guard, manila, philippines. Nathaniel nathaniel, graduating with high honors, Flight Training pensacola, florida. Jasper David Campbell deck watch officer seattle, washington. Sara elizabeth cantrel deck watch officer portsmouth virginia. Her commission will be presented by her brother christopher cantrel, Second Lieutenant u. S. Marine corps. Luke wilson corani graduating with high honors, deck watch officer, boston, massachusetts. Samantha Jennifer Cardoza graduating with honors, deck watch officer, cordova, alaska kyle jacob carpenter galveston, texas. His commission will be presented by his father, kent carpenter colonel u. S. Marine corps retired. Lauren sephali, deck watch officer, seattle washington. Juan jose sistero deck watch officer, cutter tampa, portsmouth virginia. Robert Bruce Chamber lain, portsmouth new hampshire. Alexis diana ago lar, deck w