FACTBOX-Bush offers measures to prod Cuba on democracy
24 Oct 2007 17:58:18 GMT Source: Reuters
Oct 24 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush unveiled a handful of initiatives on Wednesday to step up pressure for change in Cuba's communist government. In his first formal speech on Cuba since an ailing Fidel Castro handed power to his brother Raul in July 2006, Bush offered the following proposals aimed at promoting democracy on the island: PROMOTING INTERNET ACCESS The United States would license religious charities and other nonprofit groups to provide computers and Internet access to Cuban students -- but only if Cuba's government lifts its restrictions on Internet access. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Bush will invite Cuban young people to participate in the Partnership for Latin American Youth scholarship program, hemisphere-wide program. NO CHANGE IN U.S. ECONOMIC EMBARGO Bush will defend stiff economic sanctions in place against Cuba for decades, saying that easing them would only serve to "enrich and strengthen" the communist government in Havana. INTERNATIONAL FUND U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will discuss with other countries the creation of an "international freedom fund" for Cuba. It would help pay for infrastructure improvements and other initiatives but only after a transition to democracy takes place. URGE SUPPORT FOR CUBAN DISSIDENTS Bush will call on other countries to show public support for the dissident movement in Cuba through such steps as inviting pro-democracy activists to embassy events and encouraging nongovernmental organizations to reach out to Cuban civil society groups.
