U.S. lawmakers request public meeting in Cuba

Miami Herald ^ | March 11, 2003 | AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

HAVANA - (AP) -- Eight American lawmakers working to change U.S. policies toward Cuba said Monday they will ask the communist government to let as many as 25 U.S. Congress members hold a public meeting with the Cuban people later this year.

''It would be a demonstration of American democracy,'' said U.S. Congressman William Delahunt, a Democrat.

Ideally, Delahunt said, the gathering -- commonly known in the United States as a ''town hall'' meeting -- would be broadcast live on Cuban television and radio across the island, just as former President Jimmy Carter's speech to the Cuban people was aired live last year.

''It is time to forget the rancor, the bitterness of the past,'' Delahunt told a news conference. He said it was time to ''have a civil and respectful discourse'' between the two nations.

Members of the delegation said they would formally submit their proposal to Fidel Castro's government before returning to the United States today.

There was no immediate indication from Cuban authorities whether they would support the proposal.

Joe Garcia, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami, said if a genuine town meeting is held, ``if they are going to actually engage the Cuban people in discussion, I support that. It's wonderful. A frank exchange of real ideas hasn't occurred in over 40 years.''

All eight lawmakers belong to the Cuba Working Group, which is pushing for an end to travel restrictions for U.S. citizens and an easing of four decades of trade sanctions.

Organizers and Cuban officials described the group as the largest single delegation of American lawmakers to ever visit communist Cuba.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Comandante Chavez's Friends***LATE LAST YEAR, 16 U.S. congressmen voiced their approval for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Representatives Barney Frank, John Conyers, Chaka Fattah, Jan Schakowsky, Jose Serrano, and others complained in a letter to President Bush that the United States was not adequately protecting Chavez against a groundswell of internal opposition to his increasingly authoritarian rule--an upsurge that might lead to his ouster. Elected to power in 1998, Lt. Col. Chavez has hijacked democracy in Venezuela and is openly moving the country toward totalitarianism. Beyond Venezuela's borders, he celebrates, protects, and does business with terrorists.***

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Fidel Castro - Cuba

[goldstategop]

William Delahunt thinks the Cuban people will be allowed to express opposition to the Castro regime at such a townhall style meeting? He's an even bigger fool than Marcy Kaptur. The Democrats seem to have something of a gonzo for tyrants these days.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Sickening, isn't it? They're leaning so far left, it's breathtaking.

[bart99]

I think the 25 should have a town hall meeting in North Korea and see what we might do to normalize relations with them. ~nodding~ Now THAT would be interesting.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. Jimmy C. and Bill C. can be their tour guides.

[bart99]

All 25 should have camcorders with them.... and maybe a few Russian and Chinese visitors as well. *nod*

I wonder if the North Korean's will serve dinner or they'd make it a bring your own. *s*

I'll bet someone will give what's his face a comb and brush set as a gift. *s*

Ok... enough for now.