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WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush is to unveil "new
initiatives" to help Cubans and push for democracy in the communist-run
nation, the White House said Friday.
Bush is scheduled to speak on Cuba policy at the State Department on
Wednesday where he will announce "new initiatives to help the people of
Cuba," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Friday.
The announcement comes as Cuban leader Fidel Castro continues to be
sidelined from power since undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in July
2006. Castro's brother, Raul, is serving as president while his elder
brother recovers.
The US leader angered Cuban officials last month when he said before the
United Nations General Assembly that the long rule of "cruel dictator"
Castro "is nearing its end" and that Cubans were "ready for their freedom."
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque walked out of the General
Assembly hall when Bush made the remarks.
"The President intends to emphasize the importance of democracy for the
Cuban people and the role the international community can play in Cuba's
transition, by insisting on free speech, free assembly, free and
competitive elections, and the release of all political prisoners,"
Fratto said.
The White House and State Department did not elaborate on the "new
initiatives."
Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said, "The United States wants
to be able to be in a position to assist the Cuban people as they move
through that transition" from nearly a five-decade rule by Castro.
When asked whether a longstanding US economic embargo on Cuba should be
lifted during the transition, Casey said, "We believe that what should
be lifted is the longstanding embargo on the rights of the Cuban people
that's been imposed by Fidel Castro."
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hN4V4b3WoBUVW6iWVpxtQWMaji6g
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