S. Wong from the University of Pennsylvania Law School argued in 1994 that the bill is in violation of international law along with foreign sovereign compulsion and crackdown on trade. Effects on the Clinton Administration The Cuban Democracy Act both fostered and broke apart the relationship between Clinton and the CANF. This was due to Mas Canosa's expectations regarding the position of the assistant secretary of state for Inter-American affairs, which instead was planned to go to Mario L. Baeza, an Afro-Cuban lawyer. However, Baeza's distance from the Cuban-American community ultimately led to the CANF leading a campaign to thwart his appointment, leading to the instatement of Alexander F. Watson. Once in office, Clinton utilized a loophole within the act that allowed him to suspend it under the guise of "national security." This dodging of a law in order to avoid true implementation further frustrated Cuban-American groups. International Reaction Only days after Bush signed the bill into law on October 23, the European Commission protested that the act violated the conventions of international trade. Likewise, the United Kingdom used the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 as a means of political protest against the Mack Amendment specifically. Canada and many Latin American nations also expressed concern and condemnation of the bill's implications on international trade with Cuba. This opposition manifested into a Cuban-sponsored resolution in the United Nations on ending the embargo shortly after the bill was signed. The resolution was carefully written to create content with the international community, as many were still wary of Castro's track record but still wished to block the U.S.'s attempts to control trade between Cuba and other countries. See also Cuba and democracy Cuba–United States relations Godfrey–Milliken Bill Helms–Burton Act References External links Cuban Democracy Act text National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 Full Text and Roll Call from congress.gov Torricelli: After meeting Castro, I have no regrets choking Cuba, an editorial by Torricelli 1992 in law Cuba–United States relations United States foreign relations legislation United States federal trade legislation Opposition to Fidel Castro 1992 in international relations Boycotts of Cuba Sanctions legislation United States sanctions