President Bush has suspended for another six months a
                                  provision in a 1996 law that would allow legal action against
                                  foreign firms using confiscated U.S. properties in Cuba.

                                  Mr. Bush formally notified Congress Thursday of his decision to
                                  again suspend the Title III provision in the 1996 Helms-Burton
                                  act.

                                  The president said the waiver is necessary in the national
                                  interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to
                                  democracy in Cuba. President Bush last extended the waiver in
                                  July.

                                  President Clinton signed the Helms-Burton Act into law in
                                  response to Cuba's downing of two small planes flown by
                                  anti-Castro Cuban exiles from Miami. The Title III Provision has
                                  been suspended every six months since the law took effect.

                                  The waivers allow the United States to avoid potential disputes
                                  with European Union nations whose firms have investments in
                                  communist-run Cuba.

                                  Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.