This morning the President released the second report by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba and "A Compact with the People of Cuba." The Compact is a message of hope and reassurance to Cubans that they can count on our concrete aid in areas like humanitarian needs, economic recovery, and free and fair elections.
The people of Cuba have a choice: economic and political freedom and opportunity--or more political repression and economic suffering under the current regime.
The United States stands ready to work with the Cuban people to attain political and economic liberty.
We pledge to help the Cuban people, and a new transition Cuban government, as it moves away from a totalitarian communist dictatorship and toward a free and representative democracy. To support a Cuban transition government we pledge to: The report and its recommendations are intended to support the Compact with the People of Cuba. The Administration of President Bush is committed to accompany Cubans through a transition to political and economic freedom. The people of Cuba have suffered too much and for too long and deserve so much more than what they have today.
LINKS: Joint Statement by Secretaries Gutierrez and Rice Report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba Compact with the People of Cuba President Bush's Statement Fact Sheet Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba Press Briefing
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
