Cuba Says New US Sanctions Violate Rights

Voice Of America | 5-7-04 | Staff Writer

[SmithPatterson]

Cuba said that U.S. plans to increase sanctions against the country are cruel and a violation human rights laws. Cuba's Communist party-controlled newspaper, Granma, suggested the U.N. Human Rights Commission should review the new measures.

They include plans to reduce resources available to Cuba from worker remittances and gift packages from the United States as well as providing millions of dollars to support Cuba's opposition.

The United States also plans to spend $18 million to use aircraft to broadcast into Cuba U.S. government-sponsored Radio and TV programs that the government of Fidel Castro now jams.

Cuba said that the policies are aimed at annexing the island. It said that it will use weapons if necessary to defend itself against aggression.

On Thursday, President Bush directed that nearly $60 million be spent over two years to help "hasten the day" when, "the Cuban people will be free."

The measures are in response to recommendations submitted to the president earlier this week by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba. The group, headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, was created about six months ago to address ways the United States can help the Cuban people end Mr. Castro's dictatorship.

Some Democrats say the plan is a ploy to garner Cuban-American votes in the key state of Florida for November's presidential election.

[JLS]

Interesting, so Castro says we have a human right to exchange and dispose of our money as we see fit? These old commies may yet figure it out.

I am all in favor of declaring all tariff, capital controls and other restrictions on the market against human rights. I wonder if Castro really is in favor of this?

[kissmyconservativebutt]

Whaahhh!

[SmithPatterson]

Castro has been talking out of both sides of his mouth for over 40 years. I can't tell what he is in favor of..But I will say this..he hates the United States but he loves our money...

[JLS]

Exactly, and the Cuban-Americans know whose on there side in this and will help Bush carry Florida again this time.

[Joe Boucher]

Fidel hates America but Joel Grey said it best,
"money makes the world go round, the world go round the world go round."
By diaallowing greenbacks to get to cuba, the bush administration is bad?
I don't think so.
Squeeze the bastard clown ruling cuba. Make his polocies accountable. If his system can't help the cuban people, change the system. Change leaders, Off fidel.

[SmithPatterson]

Changing leaders may not bring change to that country, Joe. There is Perez-Roque, Alarcon, Fidel's brother Raul, that is if he stays sober and some others waiting in the bullpen to take over once Fidel dies. After traveling to several communist countries, I have found that communism is not only a form of government, it is a state of mind. So, I don't look foresee much change after Fidel goes...

[Joe Boucher]

I live here in south east florida and speak to expatriate
cubans often. Nearly to a person they say they can't wait till fidel goes and the country can get on with life.
Often inside cuba you can find rebellion and discontent. the people are tired of being poor and oppressed.
They have of course been brainwashed to thinking it is patriotic to stand up to the U.S. but still they try to come across the dangerous gulf stream in rafts you or I wouldn't go across a small lake in.
I am hopeful that when fidel takes the long dirt nap his country men will throw off the yoke of repression.

[tbpiper]

Cuba(or Cuber for JFK 1 fans) can trade with every nation in the world but us, yet it's our fault their econmy's in the toilet. Can't be the product of Castro's glorious revolution now, could it?

[LibFreeUSA]

Cuba, criticizing someone else over "human rights". Now that's funny.