Bush criticizes new Cuban leadership

Thursday 08th May, 02:58 AM JST

WASHINGTON —

U.S. President George W Bush said Wednesday that Cuba’s post-Fidel Castro leadership has made only “empty gestures at reform” and rejected calls for easing of U.S. restrictions on the communist island.

“Until there is a change of heart and a change of compassion and a change of how the Cuban government treats its people, there’s no change at all,” Bush said at the State Department to the Council of Americas, a business group that advocates for democracy and open markets in the Western Hemisphere. “Cuba will not be a land of liberty so long as free expression is punished and free speech can take place only in hushed whispers and silent prayers. And Cuba will not become a place of prosperity just by easing restrictions on the sale of products that the average Cuban cannot afford.”

The White House also said Wednesday that the president spoke by video conference this week with democratic activists in Cuba, an unprecedented move that may enrage the Castro government.

The developments are part of a stepped-up effort by Bush to talk about Cuba and press for political change since Fidel Castro officially stepped down in February after nearly a half-century ruling the island. Fidel’s brother, Raul, took over as president in the ailing leader’s place, and has unveiled a series of changes in Cuba since then, from raising salaries to dropping irritating limits on what Cubans can buy and sell.

For years, lawmakers of both parties have been trying to chip away at the United States’ Cold War-era trade, travel and home visit restrictions aimed at undermining a hostile government just 145 kilometers from U.S. shores. They argue that the leadership change in Havana provides the opportunity to lift the embargo.

But Bush has stressed that a new Castro does not mean a new Cuba, and he did so again on Wednesday.

He said Cuba’s government must allow Cubans “to pick their own leaders in free and fair elections,” release all political prisoners, and respect human rights “in word and deed.”

“This is the policy of the United States and it must not change until the people of Cuba are free,” the president said.

In the teleconference that took place on Tuesday, Bush spoke with Martha Beatriz Roque, one of the 75 pro-democracy activists arrested in a 2003 crackdown for offenses against the Castro regime; Berta Soler, the wife of an activist still jailed for treason; and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, who was released last year after 17 years in prison.

Some of what Bush heard echoed the challenges to his Cuba policy that he hears from some at home. Roque asked Bush to make it easier for Cuban Americans in the United States to visit family members on the island and send money to their relatives here.

The U.S. Interests Section in Havana, where the activists went to participate in the conference, did not say what, if anything, Bush said in response to Roque’s request. But his speech gave a clue that he’s not open to change in the current U.S. approach.

Also on the video conference were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Rice and Gutierrez, a Cuban American who left the island with his parents at age 6, chair the White House Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba.

Rice once said the commission was created to “accelerate the demise of Castro’s tyranny.” The Castros have dismissed it as an effort to destablize Cuban society.

The activists said Bush congratulated them on their bravery.

“He’s a president who leaves power in 10 months, but he’s the head of state closest to the Cuban people,” Soler told The Associated Press later. “He is one of the few presidents worrying about Cuba’s problems.”

It was the first time Bush has spoken directly to opposition leaders on the island, the U.S. Interests Section said. The use of U.S. property in Havana to facilitate the conversation won’t please Cuba’s government, which tolerates no organized opposition and dismisses dissidents as U.S.-paid mercenaries trying to topple the communist system.

In March, Bush met at the White House with a former Cuban prisoner and his wife to mark the five-year anniversary of the 2003 arrests.

___

Associated Press writer Andrea Rodriguez contributed to this story from Havana.

Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

skipthesong at 10:46 AM JST - 8th May

figures you show your face here, still not really knowing what is going on in Cuba.. Yes, you can talk about Bush all you want, that is at least all in the open..

I have no objection to your hate for Bush, but commenting on something you only know from a distance as though they are better - your criticism defeats you.

Yes, no one likes the idea that Hamas won, but we have learned a lot since the days the Nazis won theirs.. OH, and re-look at Venezuela, almost a leader for life, but I guess he wasn't liked as much as you and he thought and Bolivia seems to be turning a page against the left (who were never really left to begin with).

Yea, Raul is doing things differently than his brother; why not, he would like to line his pockets himself instead of being fed. So he puts out ideas, sells a "few" computers, gives limited but monitored access yet you are still comparing the US to Cuba which basically has a monarchy - no matter which was you look at it.

Oh, and it isn't it nice that Cuban leaders can not quit or retire at the moment because the communist party has yet to "find suitable future leaders" - even if they are well beyond the age of comprehension or senile.

Now, can you just imagine if Bush did what Castro did or Chavez has tried, and become leader for life?
SuperLib at 11:26 AM JST - 8th May

Here we go again....instead of a news story talking about changes in Cuba, we get a story about Bush's comments regarding changes in Cuba. Why not just report on Cuba on its own? Look at the Burma situation...3 articles....all with a focus on the US's reaction/comments about it.

It's the ultimate dumb-down. You don't need to know anything at all about world news in order to comment at JT, you just have to have an opinion about Bush or the US.
Hughgarse at 04:43 PM JST - 8th May

it`s their country Bushy boy.. reform and how they do it is up to them..
Madverts at 04:51 PM JST - 8th May

Heh....Mr 20% said what?
smithinjapan at 05:08 PM JST - 8th May

Skip: "figures you show your face here, still not really knowing what is going on in Cuba.. Yes, you can talk about Bush all you want, that is at least all in the open.. I have no objection to your hate for Bush, but commenting on something you only know from a distance as though they are better - your criticism defeats you."

My criticism defeats me? What the hell does that mean?? Anyway, be careful about what you say when you say, "... but commenting on something you know only from a distance...", because by doing so you limit yourself to commenting on things ONLY about Cuba, with everything else you say on this board immediately becoming irrelevant (by your own criticism). What's more, I have every right in the world to comment on anything I went, so long as it lends to the thread (on this board, anyway), as I am entitled to my own opinion. And finally, whether you like it or not, my friend, some people who sit on the foul lines of a game can see the game better for what it is, rather than the players who are directly involved -- that goes for every walk of life, from a couple dating, to the bi-lateral politics of a couple of nations at war. I know you hate to hear that because you have to prove on EVERY thread about Cuba how much you've 'suffered', etc., but that's the way it is. A perfect example is how adamant people in Japan get about Japanese playing a role based on a Japanese character, simply because the character and the actor would be Japanese, whereas an actor from another background would have to study and probably know far more than said Japanese to be in the role to begin with. Granted, being in a movie about Japan doesn't have much to do with Cuba, but you catch my drift (or if you are too emotionally wrapped up in the issue and can't catch my drift, you SHOULD).

Superlib: "Why not just report on Cuba on its own? Look at the Burma situation...3 articles....all with a focus on the US's reaction/comments about it."

I actually agree with you 100%. Much as I love to point out all Bush's faults and his poor leadership, it seems some articles are put on here with a spin towards White House opinion merely to prompt said comments. I guess it wouldn't be 'newsworthy' in many cases if there were no controversy involved.
skipthesong at 05:39 PM JST - 8th May

smith: your drift makes no sense.. If you feel you have the right to comment on Cuba while living the life you do, then why doesn't Bush? You are not living in a monitored society, nor are you in fear of ever being put in a jail for your views, but Cubans are. Granted, Bush looks stupid making the case against Cuba, but he has not tried to declare a leadership for life, he's out. He did not jail anyone for having opposing views. He has not stopped anyone from traveling abroad to get an award. He has not threatened anyone with family servitude. Bush has not forced anyone off their land or fine them to worse work their land and get nothing in return..

I have watched you support people that directly counter to your views, yet your hatred for all things Bush/US, you bed with them.

you are too emotionally wrapped up" On this issue, No, not enough at least.
Sarge at 05:47 PM JST - 8th May
"Heh... Mr 20%"
- Madverts
Heh... "Mr. 20%" is still calling the shots in Washington D.C. while you're still whining about it on JT.

"This is the policy of the United States, and it must not change until the people of Cuba are free."
- Bush
Exactly, exactly.
skipthesong at 05:50 PM JST - 8th May

additionally, you disliking me is fine but I would never side with nut cases just because they are your enemies.
smithinjapan at 06:03 PM JST - 8th May

Skip: "smith: your drift makes no sense.. If you feel you have the right to comment on Cuba while living the life you do, then why doesn't Bush?"

Well, skip, I gotta admit, your last post is far more objective than previous ones, and I respect that immensely, but point out where I said bush has no right in this case to comment on Cuba. That's a trick, because if you check my comment it's clear that I never said that at all. I simply pointed out that with his track record of hypocrisy his comments on 'freedom', etc., mean virtually nothing, and I'm glad you agree he looks stupid (though sarge, still swooning in denial, may try to fight you on that one!).

"...but he has not tried to declare a leadership for life, he's out. He did not jail anyone for having opposing views. He has not stopped anyone from traveling abroad to get an award. He has not threatened anyone with family servitude. Bush has not forced anyone off their land or fine them to worse work their land and get nothing in return.."

See 'IRAQ'; he may have done most of his work proxy (and in fact, is a product of proxy work since he's not intelligent enough to do anything on his own) there, but he has still done EVERYTHING you said above, plus.

"I have watched you support people that directly counter to your views, yet your hatred for all things Bush/US, you bed with them."

Please.... just because I say every time you wish 1.4 muslims dead that you are as bad as them, don't try to say my condemnation of the bush government means I am sleeping with them.... that's just plain idiocy, and one of the lamest attempts and twisting things I've ever seen.

"additionally, you disliking me is fine but I would never side with nut cases just because they are your enemies."

I don't dislike you at all. In fact, once in a while you post some refreshing comments on threads that add a slightly objective balance to the ultra-right and the left. In cases like this, though, you still let your emotions get the best of you and use your history as a kind of leverage in an attempt to say you are right where no one else can possibly be, in a very self-righteous tone of voice. I don't hate that either, but can be pretty keen on pointing out the obvious.

Anyway, since this is a thread about bush's comments on Cuba's new leadership, I restate the fact that there is nothing wrong with me voicing my disdain for the bush cadre, and the fact that anything he says regarding a lack of leadership, or poor leadership for that matter, is the pot calling the kettle black. I'm sorry if any of it touches a nerve, it being involved in Cuba and all, but that's the way it is.
skipthesong at 06:13 PM JST - 8th May

See 'IRAQ'; he may have done most of his work proxy (and in fact, is a product of proxy work since he's not intelligent enough to do anything on his own) there, but he has still done EVERYTHING you said above, plus."

Ok, you got me on this one.
Madverts at 06:19 PM JST - 8th May

Uh, sarge,

Heh, it must hurt defending Mr 20%.

I'm sure even the hated Fidel nor his brother for that matter never was despised so much by either his own people or the rest of the world as the current muppet in the Whitehouse.

Moderator: Please refrain from using expressions like "Mr 20%" which are meaningless and add nothing to the discussion.
skipthesong at 09:48 PM JST - 8th May

madverts: I don't want to get personal, but do you really believe that Castro is not despised? In one way you are right, simply because everyone goes through love Castro classes! And if they do despise the man, you can bet your butt that they keep it to themselves.

I really feel like inviting all you guys to my next family reunion.
adaydream at 09:53 PM JST - 8th May

george bush is trying to find someone who has a worst public opinion than his in an attempt to get some of the bad attention off him.

Too bad. There is no one worse, except the leaders of Myanmar.

Just because the country of Cuba doesn't run their government like certain Americans want it run, so george bush tries to divert attention away from his fiasco government.

Oh george, you're just a total loser.
mosc1 at 03:06 PM JST - 9th May

Why would anyone oppose President Bush's statements concerning Cuba?

In 2004 the debacle in Florida comes to mind. Free elections with rigged machines. The candidate Bush praised a humble foreign policy. The President Bush has engaged American troops without a Constitutional Declaration of War or even a UN mandate! This same President has negated the Bill of Rights which predicates the Constitutional mandate of a 3 branch government!
nucular at 03:13 PM JST - 9th May

"Just because the country of Cuba doesn't run their government like certain Americans want it run, so george bush tries to divert attention away from his fiasco government."

And all those Cubans, risking their lives as they flee Fidel's socialist paradise on makeshift rafts, they were brainwashed by Bush's hand-picked mouthpieces at Fox News?