Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

[Osolomia]

Fact Sheet: Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

December 8, 2003
FACT SHEET
Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

"Our government will establish a Commission for the Assistance to a Free Cuba, to plan for the happy day when Castro's regime is no more and democracy comes to the island."

President George W. Bush, October 10, 2003

On December 5, 2003, the President's Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba held its inaugural meeting at the White House. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez. Also in attendance were Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

United States policy regarding Cuba is clear -- hasten Cuba's peaceful transition to a representative democracy and a free market economy -- ending decades of an oppressive dictatorship. The President created the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba to focus the United States government efforts on achieving this objective.

Specifically, the Commission will:

- identify additional means by which the United States can help the Cuban people bring about an expeditious end of the dictatorship; and

- consider the requirements for United States assistance to a post-dictatorship Cuba.

By May 1, 2004, the Commission will provide an initial report to the President regarding the recommended elements of a comprehensive program to assist the Cuban people to:

- bring about a peaceful, near-term end to the dictatorship;
- establish democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law;
- create the core institutions of a free economy;
- modernize infrastructure; and
- meet basic needs in the areas of health, education, housing, and human services.

The Commission consists of representatives from:

The Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security, the United States Agency for International Development, National Security Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget, United States Trade Representative, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031208-8.html

Naw, DUers don't support the Bush Doctrine do they?

[Hobarticus]

1. Can we invade, though?

Don't think we have the manpower.

[peacetalksforall]

2. This is a takeover of yet another country

but instead of telling us that the people will be allowed to set up their own replacement government (a la Iraq), you will be told what the government is to be by Cuban Americans and our very own right wing administration.

All hail to the the grand imperialistic society of the United States of America.

Cubans - don't be fooled after all these decades - this is it - you're life is going to change drastically.

The right wing is stealthily advancing - get ready. Don't mind if you're kicked off the land you've lived on for forty years - this compassionate and conservative right wing administration and the Cuban-Americans who own them will take care of you nicely. (with all sarcasm)

[Mika]

4. Takeovers R us

We aren't fooled. ;-)

But, we'll wait until the attack from the US is imminent before we raise hell, if at all (And then it won't stop Bush doctrine.)



"I will be a uniter" - _{G W Bush}

[Osolomia]

3. Naw, DUers don't support the Bush Doctrine do they?

So there's no excuse for ignorance, kick.

[Judi Lynn]

5. US plans 'peaceful change' in Cuba

World 9 Dec 2003 Tuesday

US plans 'peaceful change' in Cuba
Washington, Dec 09 - The US has indicated that it was serious about planning for a ‘peaceful’ regime change in Cuba.
The US has constituted a Commission for Assistance to identify additional means by which it could help the Cuban people bring about an 'expeditious end of the dictatorship' and consider the requirements for its assistance to a post-dictatorship Cuba, a White House release issued here Monday said.

The Commission, which held its first meeting on December 5 under the chairmanship of Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez, would submit an initial report to the US President on May 1, 2004 regarding the recommended elements of a comprehensive programme to assist the Cuban people.

It includes bringing about a peaceful end to the dictatorship, establishment democratic institutions, respect for human rights and law, create core institutions of a free economy, modernise infrastructure and basic needs in the areas of health, education, housing and human services. (snip/...)

http://www.sunnt.com/news/world/world.asp?id=11528

This is fiendish. I hope to see petition campaigns right away. I'm definitely contacting my two Republican senators and my Representative. All three support an end to our right-wing maintained embargo and travel ban.

[Voltaire99]

6. Commission for the McDonaldsization of Cuba, more accurately

I really owe it to myself to make a trip to Cuba before the US turns it into a giant shopping mall.