Thursday, May 06, 2004

Focus on Cuba

MR. McCLELLAN: Earlier today the President had a good discussion with his Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba. Freedom is coming to Cuba, as you heard from the President, and we want to hasten the day when Cubans live in freedom. The President stands solidly with the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom. Our objectives toward Cuba are to see an end to Castro's oppressive dictatorship, to support the Cuban people in the transition to democracy, and to help the Cuban people build a free market economy. We will have a fact sheet out here shortly, as well as an executive summary. And the State Department has some briefings later today on some of the specifics within that policy.

White House press briefing May 6, 2004



Office of Foreign Assets Control said that between 1990 and 2003 it opened just 93 enforcement investigations related to terrorism. Since 1994 it has collected just $9,425 in fines for terrorism financing violations.

In contrast, OFAC opened 10,683 enforcement investigations since 1990 for possible violations of the long-standing economic embargo against Fidel Castro's regime, and collected more than $8 million in fines since 1994, mostly from people who sent money to, did business with or traveled to Cuba without permission.

Yahoo News article April 29, 2004



President George W. Bush on Thursday offered new steps he said would help hasten the end of Cuban President Fidel Castro's rule, such as stepping up anti-Castro propaganda and bolstering dissidents groups, as he played to Cuban-American voters in Florida.

Bush will tighten limits on visits to Cuba by American family members and increase sting operations to keep money for relatives from falling into the government's hands. He also wants to deploy airplanes to prevent Cuba from jamming anti-Castro broadcasts by the United States.

Up to $59 million will be earmarked for anti-Castro efforts over the next two years.

Reuters article


That's the ticket. Make an irreparable mess in Afghanistan and Iraq; now let's work on Cuba.

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