Commission for
Assistance to a Free Cuba Holds Inaugural Session
Bush created commission to hasten Cuba's transition to democracy
President Bush's Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba held its inaugural
meeting at the White House on December 5, according to a White House fact
sheet issued December 8.
President Bush created the commission earlier in 2003 to focus U.S.
government efforts to hasten Cuba's transition to democracy and a
free-market economy, the White House said. By May 1, 2004, the commission
will provide the president with an initial report outlining recommendations
for a comprehensive program to assist the Cuban people.
Following is the text of the White House fact sheet, with further details:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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. |
