the People's Republic of China-achieved through executive fiat and in the absence of any specific legislative mandate and this is ample precedent for the administration to again act to lower the artificial barriers which now separate us from another albeit much closer country than the PRC.

The embargo of Cuba is both a diplomatic and economic incongruity. The United States trades with and recognizes Communist countries at the same time that Cuba trades with and recognizes capitalist countries. Its continuation is a complete analomy and in no way serves whatever purpose it was originally created to serve. The embargo simply has not worked and it is time for us to frankly admit it.

Cuba presently maintains diplomatic relations with 94 nations throughout the world-including 11 in the Western Hemisphereand is a member of 15 United Nations organizations and 6 international agencies, including the International Bank for Economic Cooperation, GATT, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. It has also qualified for membership in the Inter-American Development Bank. Although the revolutionary economy experienced several troublesome years, it is now making progress and its basic investments are beginning to bear fruit. The cult of personality which was so prevalent in the early days of the revolution has been replaced by the cult of the Communist Party and, in particular, the First Party Congress which will take place later this fall. This seems to indicate that the revolution is in the process of being institutionalized. The extensive diplomatic relations with other countries also reveal that Cuba is a full and viable member of the international community and that its rights and obligations are recognized and respected by the majority of the world's nations and a large number of international entities.

The Secretary of State has indicated that a fundamental change in our relations with Cuba cannot occur unless Cuba demonstrates a readiness to assume the mutuality of obligation. In my view, Cuba has moved toward a position which would lead to meaningful negotiations, as has the United States to some extent. We continue to be at an impasse, however, and it is my belief that this can only be broken when the United States undertakes to completely lift the embargo, which has been very properly described as the continuing embodiment of official American hostility by Abraham Lowenthal in a current Foreign Policy article. Once this action is taken our two nations can then initiate negotiations to resolve almost two decades of hostility as well as the troublesome issues which separate the United States and Cuba. I cannot see how our bargaining position could be jeopardized or damaged by ending the embargo which has not only isolated Cuba but, in a sense, the United States as well. And, given the administration's reluctance to move ahead without engaging in a futile diplomatic minuet, it is incumbent on the Congress to take the initiative by lifting the embargo which it has itself imposed.

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