President Bush speaks about Cuban policy today at the State Department in Washington, D.C. He was joined by dissidents (l to r) Damaris Garcia, Mirta Pernet (center), and Olga Alonso. Photo by Chuck Kennedy/MCT
by Mark Silva
President Bush – today calling the transition of power in Cuba from one dictator, the aging Fidel Castro, to another, his brother Raul, unacceptable – also will call on the Cuban people to rally for a democratic state after five decades of dictatorship.
“The president is not calling for armed rebellion,’’ a senior administration official says, but the president nevertheless is calling for action among activists on the island and promising to support them with new U.S. assistance. U.S. policy toward Cuba, the administration says, is “based on freedom… not stability.’’
Bush will say “that now is the time to stand with the democratic movements and the people of Cuba,’’ in a speech that he delivers at the State Department early this afternoon, the official says. “And we need to be focused on how we're prepared -- we, the international community, are prepared for Cuba's transition.’’
Since August of 2006, the Bush administration has been laying a claim to expectations for a democratic transition in Cuba following the passing of Fidel Castro. Bush was vocal about it then. Now, another U.S. election is rolling around -- and any sign of stepped up U.S interest in freeing Cuba could be a strong hand for the president's party to play in South Florida.
Nevertheless, as the Cuban dictator of nearly 50 years faced serious illness that summer, the Bush administration has conceded in the past that it expected nothing but a transition of power from Castro to his equally dictatorial brother Raul. Today, Bush is making a direct appeal to Cubans to rise to the cause of their own democracy.
“The president will make the point that life will not improve for Cubans under the current system,’’ said the administration official, adhering to a policy of speaking on background before the president’s speech. “It will not improve by exchanging one dictator for another, and it will not improve in any way by seeking accommodation with a new tyranny for the sake of stability.
“Our policy is based on freedom for Cuba,’’ this official said. “Our policy is not stability for Cuba, it is freedom, and that the way to get to a stable Cuba is through the Cuban people being given their freedom and fundamental rights.’’
The president, aiming his words at an island audience, plans to “deliver a message to members of the Cuban regime, especially members of the Cuban military and the security apparatus. He will note that they are going to face a choice, and the choice is, which side are they on, the side of Cubans who are demanding freedom, or are they going to face the choice of having to use force against… their fellow citizens against a dying regime,'' the official said..
Bush will make “a comment to the ordinary Cubans who are listening. He will say to them that they have the power to change, and/or to shape their destiny, that they are the ones who will bring about a future where Cuban leaders are chosen by them, where their children can grow up in peace and prosperity
“The president is not calling for armed rebellion,’’ the administration official said. “The president is reminding Cubans… that they have, literally… the power to shape their destiny, and that they can bring about a future that is a different Cuba.
Bush will announce some U.S. initiatives:
-- The U.S. is prepared to license non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups to provide computers and Internet access to Cuban students – with a goal of ending restrictions on Internet access to all Cubans.
-- The U.S. will invite young people to a scholarship program, Partnership for Latin American Youth. This is a hemisphere-wide program originally.
But the president will not be lifting restrictions on travel to Cuba or easing a decades-old U.S. trade embargo against the island nation.
The president plans to speak today, in his address at the State Department, about “what Cubans deal with on a day-to-day basis and what have been the results of this 48-year totalitarian regime,’’ this official says, following a White House policy of speaking on condition of anonymity before the president’s address.
Bush also plans to bring some relatives of political prisoners in Cuba with him – “to give this picture of Cuba a human face.
“This is no different than his message has been in…. previous remarks on Cuba in terms of the faith and the ordinary Cuban to realize that they have a power within themselves to help move that country in a different direction that would be democratic, but he's also given that message to other peoples around the world who have faced authoritarian governments,’’ the administration official said.
The difference between the administration's public proclamations has reflected the pressure that Cuban-American politics place on the White House, with this president and every Republican since the 1960s counting on the unwavering electoral backing of the Cuban-born exile community in South Florida.
“We believe that the Cuban people aspire and thirst for democracy, and that given the choice they would choose a democratic government," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in August of 2006, when Castro underwent surgery that has sidelined him for some time.
“The one thing this president has talked about from the very beginning is his hope for the Cuban people finally to enjoy the fruits of freedom and democracy," then-White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. "We stand ready to help. . . . And we will be ready and eager to provide humanitarian, economic and other aid to the people of Cuba.’’
Yet Snow then acknowledged what U.S. and Cuban experts viewed as the most likely immediate transition of power: to Raul Castro, commander of the Cuban army and security forces and overlord of the regime's politically punitive prisons.
"For the dictator, Fidel Castro, to hand off power to his brother . . . is not a change," Snow said then. "There are no [U.S.] plans to reach out. . . . The fact that you have an autocrat handing power off to his brother does not mark an end to autocracy."
Yet the president, attempting to stir hopes of a democratic transition, owes his own election in part to the strong support of Cuban-American voters in Florida's disputed election of 2000. He won more than 80 percent of Miami's Cuban-American vote in state that handed him the White House by a mere 537 votes.
“If Fidel Castro were to move on because of natural causes, we've got a plan in place to help the people of Cuba understand there's a better way," the president said on Miami's Spanish-language Radio Mambi, WAQI-AM, in the summer of 2006. "No one knows when Fidel Castro will move on."
Since the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, when the U.S. failed to support an American-trained force of Cuban exiles attempting to oust Castro, a generation of Cuban-born voters has given overwhelming support to Republican presidents, peaking at more than 80 percent backing for Ronald Reagan in the 1980s as well as for this president’s first election in 2000.
Yet a second generation of Cuban-Americans with no personal memories of life in Cuba has demonstrated more readiness to support Democrats. President Bill Clinton won close to 40 percent of Florida's Cuban-American vote in 1996. Vice President Al Gore fared poorly in 2000, when the Clinton-Gore administration forcibly removed young Elian Gonzale, from a relative's home in Miami and returned him to the island.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) gained some ground among Florida's second-generation Cuban-Americans in the 2004 election.
The Republican candidates for president in 2008, campaigning heavily in a state that will hold one of the earliest primaries – Jan. 29 – are hewing to the dream of a free Cuba. But the Bush administration’s ability to deliver any real progress in that direction in the president’s remaining year could have more of an impact on that election than anyone’s campaign promises.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
“The president is not calling for armed rebellion,’’ a senior administration official says, but the president nevertheless is calling for action among activists on the island and promising to support them with new U.S. assistance. U.S. policy toward Cuba, the administration says, is “based on freedom… not stability.’’
Just like his daddy promised all that support to the Shiites to rise up against Saddam. When they did, Daddy Bush just sat back and did nothing while Saddam slaughtered the Shiites.
Look out, Cuba - remember, like father, like son.
Posted by: BobinATL | October 24, 2007 11:45 AM
I've lost track, is Cuba now before or after Venezuela on the Republican "Countries to invade" Task List?
1. Iran.
2. Syria.
3. Cuba?
4. Venezuela?
5. Mexico.
6. France.
Posted by: AJF | October 24, 2007 12:11 PM
Bush is a liar...nothing he says means anything at all. I'd rather listen to a bad comedian at the Improv than listen to this baboon. That's how little respect I have for the tool.
Castro, not perfect by any means, has had to go through huge sanctions that could have brought down a much larger country. You people try running a country up against another like the US bully 30 miles away. Then complain about Castro.
Haha..Bush calling for peace not arms. Who the hell is Bush to tell others how to operate? What...did he talk to God about what to do with Castro too? Frakin loon.
Posted by: Noz | October 24, 2007 12:20 PM
“The president is reminding Cubans… that they have, literally… the power to shape their destiny, and that they can bring about a future that is a different Cuba."
By now the idea of American style freedom must be petrifying to even the most oppressed people. Thanks again Mr Bush. Mission accomplished!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | October 24, 2007 12:27 PM
Bush is delusional. He seems to think that once Fidel dies Cuba will flower into a democracy. So I guess Raul is going to throw himself on the funeral pyre?
Posted by: Left Coaster | October 24, 2007 12:33 PM
Castro has been in power for 50 years and is likely to die well before any U.S. action even takes place.
We are at war all over the world, the economy sucks (don't bother quoting how well the market is doing it is a poor barometer), healthcare, education, Social security, oil prices, etc....
we've got problems.
And this guy is suddenly worried about Cuba? How out of touch can one person be?
Posted by: Carl L | October 24, 2007 12:36 PM
Ahhh, Noz, another Lefty Loon. Castro, not perfect?!?!?!? Another Lefty apologist. Yes, Noz, Castro would be a cuddly teddy bear if we hadn't been sanctioning Cuba all these years. Drink some more Kool-Aid.
Castro imprisons his citizens, denies them their rights (and we're not talking about terrorists here either), makes his citizens flee to a better place (the U.S.).
Posted by: John D | October 24, 2007 12:46 PM
Gearge W. Bush is ill-advised to wax eloquent about how the world is waiting with anticipation for the demise of some nation's leader. I, like about 75% of my fellow citizens (according to the most recent Zogby poll), would love to see Bush out of office this afternoon.
Posted by: MLH | October 24, 2007 12:54 PM
“that now is the time to stand with the democratic movements and the people of Cuba,’’
Sure, we saw what happened in Burma to the peaceful demonstration. It don't work a jack! If you don't have a gun, don't even try to overthrowing a govt. You'll just get slaughtered.
Why are we inciting people to die? Cuba might be a Dictatorship run country, but at least there is no violence in Cuba now.
Posted by: Lou | October 24, 2007 1:29 PM
You know Johnny, if we had actually talked to Fidel during the days right after the cold war ended, and he lost his gravy train in the USSR, don't you think we could have tossed some money his way?? At which point, maybe we would have had more normal relations.
But no, the GOP has to cater to that Cuban refugee base in Florida, so no matter what good that would have done for states like Illinois (you know, sending agriculture there), Georgie and his cronies have to keep that little group in Miami happy.
Posted by: BobinATL | October 24, 2007 1:30 PM
"Castro imprisons his citizens, denies them their rights"
Hmmm... who does this sound like? What if he does it in the name of "protecting his country from outside extremeists"? Then is it OK?
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
Posted by: Carl L | October 24, 2007 1:47 PM
"Castro, not perfect..."
You think?
Thousands upon thousands of Cubans have come to America to escape Castro the tyrant. May more want to come still.
How about we let all the Cubans who want to come to America in and send the lefties the hate America to Cuba. That way all the America-hating-Castro-loving-leftwing-loons will be happy.
Let them bitch and moan about how much the government and the economy sucks there and see what happens.
Posted by: Commies for Castro | October 24, 2007 1:49 PM
Unlike President Bush or any of the U.S. presidential candidates, I have talked face to face with Fidel Castro and spent time in Cuba. Castro is aware of the country's economic needs and even voiced support for introduction of some limited free enterprise, especially in the tourism industry which actually is rather vigorous. The rest of the economy, based on communist failures in practice, suffers greatly to the detriment of its people and could benefit from the type of activity that President Bush is describing. Democracy is essential in making the change. Fidel Castro will not make the transition, but there are bright people in the Cuban government who can and will if given the right openings. (And just for the record, my visit was an official one and sanctioned by the U.S. State Department).
Posted by: Ricardo | October 24, 2007 2:22 PM
All those people bashing Bush for this particular topic must not be Cuban or of Cuban decent. You have no idea what they/we have gone through for the past 48 years. Its not what the media or any Ted Turner station portrays. These people can't speak up! First amendment what? Bush may be an idiot for some things, granted, but we Cubans and Cuban Americans thank God someone is attempting to do something about it...anything!
Posted by: Viva Cuba Libre | October 24, 2007 2:30 PM
Viva:
What would happen if we established relations with Cuba? What about if that would make Castro liberalize the government? Say we lift the travel ban, and the economy there grows. We lift the agricuture embargo, and American farmers start selling their goods to Cuba.
What if by doing this, we open up the country, and the Cuban people start to prosper?? Isn't that a better way to help Cuba than by encouraging a revolution??
Posted by: BobinATL | October 24, 2007 2:59 PM
"Sure, we saw what happened in Burma to the peaceful demonstration. It don't work a jack! If you don't have a gun, don't even try to overthrowing a govt. You'll just get slaughtered."
Lou, Tell that to the people of Poland, Hungary, the former Czechslovakia, the former East Germany, Ukraine, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia....
Posted by: AJF | October 24, 2007 3:56 PM
Conservative math;
Terri Schiavo = Elian Gonzales
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 4:51 PM
AJF,
Success or failure from a peaceful demonstration to change a government is irrelevant. There are more failures than successes. You can point out all the successes; and, I can point out all the failures from a peaceful demonstration.
What is more relevant is that it is easy to gamble with other people's life by inciting them. It's an abusive pattern I am seeing here. It's plain wrong!
I am all for peaceful demonstration too. But, does, "one size fits all" policy work everywhere.
1. Look at Tiannamen Square. They got slaughtered.
2. Look at Iraq. Try a peaceful demonstration. It'll quickly end up in blood bath.
3. Look at Burma, they got slaughter not once but twice.
4. And too many other countries that can be listed here.
This is the same concept and behavior that you can observe in grade school kids: They ask a friend to go help beat up the bully. But, his friend gets beat up instead. And, he doesn't get hurt. Eventhought, he knows his friend will get beat up!
Posted by: Lou | October 24, 2007 5:58 PM
Look at Kent State
Posted by: TheReamer | October 24, 2007 6:19 PM
'Not a call to arms';
Of course not, it's a nod to the base, political rhetoric, meaningless gibberish, monkey chatter, idiot wind farting, whatever.
Just don't say it's a call to arms.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 6:23 PM
So what do you do Lou, tell people to just accept living under a dictatorship forever?
Incite them to violent revolution instead? That doesn't work any better. Other than the United States name me some democratic governments in the world that was brought about by violent revolt. You're not going to be able to find many. Revolutions lead to dictatorships.
Posted by: AJF | October 24, 2007 6:33 PM
Re. protests;
If you want see a great little cult classic, featuring ChiTown pre-Trump, and most other 'scrapers except Hancock, and get some of the most compelling scenes from the '68 Demo-Convention, go to your video store and rent Medium Cool (Wexler)
It's a time machine.
He posed as a journalist, put his actors in the protests, then filmed. Un-real reality.
Pay attention to all of it. The motorcycle film courier during the credits at the start of the film is a tour of the old loop/Mag Mile, sans glitz.
I can almost see me walking to the Van Buren Street induction center.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 7:46 PM
Let me simplify this so even you Loony Lefties can understand:
In a Communist System, Man exploits his fellow Man.
With Capitalism, its the other way around.
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | October 24, 2007 7:50 PM
Smirky,
'The competition between Communism and Capitalism has more to do with their similarities than their differences.'
(Ed Abbey)
'The only place more dangerous to be than between a she-bear and her cubs is between a business man and a dollar.'
(also Ed Abbey)
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 8:17 PM
If only we can help the people of Cuba like JFK did 1961. It's a goal worth striving for.
Posted by: Terry | October 24, 2007 8:17 PM
Take a look at the business plan of any big box store in the US today, and I suspect it will look very similar to a totalitarian communist state.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 8:35 PM
"Incite them to violent revolution instead? That doesn't work any better. Other than the United States name me some democratic governments in the world that was brought about by violent revolt. You're not going to be able to find many. Revolutions lead to dictatorships."
AJF,
You are missing the point. And, you are putting words into my mouth. I'm not asking anyone to violently overthrow their govt. And, I'm not asking anyone to go on a Revolution. That's up to them not me. They are old enough to think for themselves and face the consequences.
I'll name many countries who violently revolted. United States revolted against England. We are now Democratic. Mexico revolted against Spain. Mexico is now Democratic. Phillipine revolted against Spain, & Japan; on and on. . .
This argument is pointless. There are countries that were founded peacefully and violently.
My whole point is that we should leave it up to the people of their country. Who is it for us to decide? The more we are involved, the worst the results. Why do we get ourselves involve in other countries' affairs? We don't like it when other countries tell us what to do. Then, we shouldn't be telling other countries how to run their govt.
If Cubans want to take the yoke off their backs. . .then let them do it! Whether it's peacefully or violently. That's up to them. Not us. Once they commit to a path, then it would be up to us if we want to support them or not.
We seem to be hypocrites. We support economics to China and other Communist Countries. But, not Cuba. Why not? What is the difference in policy?
Why can't Cuba become more democratic by us opening trade,& travel like to China? I thought that was the reason for economic ties with other Communist Countries? So, they will slowly transform into a Democracy.
If you are saying it works in Europe. If it works in Asia. Then it must work in Cuba. Double standards.
Posted by: Lou | October 24, 2007 9:55 PM
Take a look at the business plan of any big box store in the US today, and I suspect it will look very similar to a totalitarian communist state.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 24, 2007 8:35 PM
Nicely done, sir. Couldn't have said it better.
Why can't we just leave Cuba alone? They don't want a dictator? They'll take care of it without our help. If Castro was sucking up to the US and allowing our military bases there, he'd be a hero, no matter what he was doing to his people.
Posted by: DD | October 24, 2007 10:14 PM
"If Castro was sucking up to the US and allowing our military bases there, he'd be a hero, no matter what he was doing to his people.
Posted by: DD | October 24, 2007 10:14 PM"
Good point.
See; Saudi, Pak., all the Central Asian 'Stans, others.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 25, 2007 9:25 AM
"They don't want a dictator? They'll take care of it without our help. "
More wisdom from DD,
You are correct, sir. The Cuban people will be free when they want and demand freedom. We have proved over and over that a third party can't install freedom at the point of a gun.
And the Cuban Islanders will accomplish it, not the cut-n-runners in Miami.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 25, 2007 9:28 AM
Posted by: AJF | October 24, 2007 12:11 PM"
You forgot Belgium.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 25, 2007 9:30 AM
Posted by: John D | October 24, 2007 12:46 PM
{quote]
Castro imprisons his citizens, denies them their rights (and we're not talking about terrorists here either)
[/quote]
-- So does the USA under the Bush administration; go talk talk to Jose Padilla.
Posted by: BC | October 25, 2007 2:48 PM