Section 620(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 prohibits U.S. assistance to Cuba until Cuba has taken "appropriate steps under international law standards to return to United States nationals, and to entities no less than fifty percent beneficially owned by United States citizens, or provide equitable compensation to such citizens and entities for property taken from such citizens and entities on or after January 1, 1959, by the government of Cuba." 22 U.S.C. § 2370 (a)(2) (1994). the LIBERTAD Act, or Helms-Burton Law, includes as a precondition to declaring that a "democratically elected government" is in power in Cuba (thereby authorizing the provision of significant economic aid to Cuba and the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo) that Cuba has made "demonstrable progress in returning to United States citizens (and entities which are fifty percent or more beneficially owned by United States citizens) property taken by the Cuban Government
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