Bush vows to keep pressure on Cuban government, names commission

Miami Herald ^ | 10/10/03 | Frank Davies

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - President Bush Friday reassured Cuban Americans, a crucial constituency in his reelection bid, that he will keep the pressure on the Cuban government, naming a commission to seek ways to help bring about and prepare for democracy on the island.

Bush directed his Cuban-born housing secretary, Mel Martinez of Orlando, and Secretary of State Colin Powell to oversee an effort ``to plan for the happy day when Castros regime is no more.''

Bush's initiatives emphasized better enforcement of long-standing restrictions on travel and an effort to increase ''safe and legal'' immigration from Cuba.

''We will increase the number of new Cuban immigrants we welcome every year,'' Bush said. ``We are free to do so, and we will, for the good of those who seek freedom. Our goal is to help more Cubans safely complete their journey to a free land.''

He also vowed enforcement of restrictions on travel to Cuba.

''U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba for pleasure,'' Bush said. ``That law is on the books and it must be enforced.''

With his trademark charm and a few specifics, Bush used a Rose Garden setting and some carefully employed Spanish to address several dozen Cuban Americans from South Florida. He said new initiatives were intended to ``hasten the arrival of a new, free, democratic Cuba.''

His conclusion: ''Today we are confident that no matter what the dictator intends or plans, Cuba sera pronto libre.'' (Cuba will soon be free).

Many of the Cuban Americans who attended the event praised Bush for focusing on Cuba and highlighting the plight of dissidents on the island, even if they favor stronger action against Castro.

''He has taken some good steps, and we realize this is an ongoing process,'' said Sylvia Iriondo, president of Women and Mothers Against Repression in Cuba, an exile group. ``Its important to enforce the laws on the books.''

[NormsRevenge]

President George Bush, center, is applauded by Secretary of State Colin Powell, left, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez, right, as he speaks about Cuba in the Rose Garden of the White House Friday. CHARLES DHARAPAK/AP

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President Bush Friday reassured Cuban Americans, a crucial constituency in his reelection bid

Rope-A-Dope time is over. The 2004 push in on...

[metalboy]

Hey, he thinks the `rats are nasty now about Iraq, I can`t wait to get a load of what they`ll say when their hero Castro is 'bothered'. Ho ho ho! I can`t wait! I can`t freggin` wait, because the `rats will be exposed for what they are, all by themselves opening their yaps. They think they lost Florida last time by a small margin, next election they`re gonna be so far behind in that state it might as well not even exist for them. Castro has been praised more times by the left than Bush himself could ever hope for, and I can`t freggin` wait for them to do it again. Hollywood will probably have a "Fidel day" party led by Jimmy Carter and Oliver Stone. Go ahead, make my day. Sorry Fidel, this administration doesn`t kidnap kids.