Bush aides to unveil anti-Castro plans by May 1

[Osolomia]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — A commission set up by U.S. President George W. Bush will issue recommendations by May 1 on how the United States can hasten Cuban President Fidel Castro's fall from power without using force, the White House said on Monday.

Bush's so-called Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Cuban-born Housing Secretary Mel Martinez, held its first meeting at the White House on
Friday.

A White House statement said the commission would issue its initial report to the president by May 1 for bringing about ''a peaceful, near-term end to the dictatorship,'' as well as for establishing democratic institutions and a market economy.

The commission is also developing plans to modernize the island's infrastructure and meet basic needs in the areas of health, education and housing, the White House said.

... Since he arrived in the White House, Bush has tightened the screws on Cuba, reducing travel there by academic and cultural exchange groups, and cracking down on Americans who visit the island without a special U.S. Treasury Department permit.

More...
http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters12-08-143207.asp?reg=AMERICAS

The White House's statement:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=259396

[whathappened]

1. jr. just can't stand to

have someone esle running any country but himself these days , we don't need to stick our noses in other peoples way of life , are these cubans ready for our way of life , they never have known what it is life to grow up in america and be street wize in moving around in all the ups and downs this country has to offer , i have always lived on the low end of america as far as money concerns , but i'm a wize old fox when it comes to living and thinking with wisdom , never had to steal and cheat anyone to servive in this life

[loudnclear]

31. We've got to find a country we can actually beat!

Like Reagan did with Grenada.

[Mika]

46. Let me remind you.. Cuba ain't Grenada

If anyone thinks that American troops will be able to roll thru Cuba untouched is dreaming the same dream of the mission in Iraq, where we were to be greeted with flowers.

Raul Castro recently said that if America attacks Cuba they will encounter a mine and a sniper every square meter of the island. (Btw, Cuba has a very large and trained civillian militia as well as a trained military.) If there's anyone who knows how to fight in the mountains of Cuba - its Fidel and Raul. If there's anyone who can win the 'hearts and mind' campaign, especially in Cuba, its the Castro brothers.

There will never be a 'walk thru' by US military in Cuba again. The Cuban people know what will result if that happens.

[La_Serpiente]

2. WTF!!!???!!!

If he invades Cuba, I have no doubt in my mind the entire world would be pissed off. The UN General Assembly already passed a resolution lambasting the US Embargo toward the island.

[Osolomia]

5. For 12 YEARS now the UN has been condemning the USA's embargo

Pity Americans weren't paying any attention when Clinton's America passed the Helms-Burton Act in 1996 either despite vehement international opposition and still don't get it as the 2004 Democratic presidential candidates positions on the embargo goes to show.

[emc]

9. WMD

Watch the crap that comes out of the White House----wonder if we will get the Weapons of Mass Distruction argument again----This bunch in Washington really know how to piss the world off-----

[newyawker99]

28. Hi emc!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[impeach the gop]

3. Given the smirks record so far

he can't win this one either. fact is, everything w touched is complete FAILURE.

[ClintonTyree]

4. Insanity............

doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. For more the 40 years we've had a failed Cuban policy but Numbnuts thinks it's a good policy, a sound policy, a policy that will build a bridge to Cuba!
The conservative assclowns in this country see everything in black and white, no shades of grey. There will be NO altering of "THE PLAN", even if the "PLAN" has failed again and again.
I feel as if I live in some sort of bizarro world where right is wrong, up is down, black is white, and neo-cons rule the planet.

[Osolomia]

6. Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba

Of the ten current democratic hopefuls, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is the only one who supports an end to the embargo.

Much more...
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

Despite overwhelming bipartisan opposition to it. Go figure!

[Osolomia]

10. Naw, Dems don't support the Bush Doctrine on Cuba

do they?

How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?

[Mika]

7. Not just conservative assclowns. Dem assclowns too

Only one of our Dem presidential candidates openly declares that he will end the ridiculous sanctions on Cuba and travel sanctions on Americans that have only hurt ordinary Americans and ordinary Cubans. That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.


Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

[Osolomia]

8. Even General Clark is letting Miami's Batistiano mafia dictate policy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=250379#250431

[drfemoe]

11. maybe gitmo isn't

big enough to house all the future e-cs. They want the whole freaking island?

[PennyLane]

14. That Must Be It!

Or.......maybe there's oil in them thar hills!!!!!:evilgrin:

[aquart]

12. WHAT???????????????

Jesus, these boys are such momzers.

[EFF BrandyWine]

24. aquart has found the perfect description...

Momzers...all of them!

[Paschall]

13. Wouldn't it be nice if the White House appointed a commission...

...to do the same for the US?

"The commission is also developing plans to modernize the island's infrastructure and meet basic needs in the areas of health, education and housing, the White House said."

But, of course, I assume Halliburton/Brown & Root will be getting those contracts on a non-competitive basis. After all, they already have personnel in Cuba building the dog kennels enemy combatant prisons.

[Judi Lynn]

15. Various nimrods within the U.S. Government have been bent

on finally beating down Cuban independence and seizing Cuba since the 1800's.

Read what was written by the Undersecretary of War, John C. Breckenridge in 1897, if you can stand it:

(snip) The island of Cuba, a larger territory, has a greater population density than Puerto Rico, although it is unevenly distributed. This population is made up of whites, blacks, Asians and people who are a mixture of these races. The inhabitants are generally indolent and apathetic. As for their learning, they range from the most refined to the most vulgar and abject. Its people are indifferent to religion, and the majority are therefore immoral and simultaneously they have strong passions and are very sensual. Since they only possess a vague notion of what is right and wrong, the people tend to seek pleasure not through work, but through violence. As a logical consequence of this lack of morality, there is a great disregard for life.

It is obvious that the immediate annexation of these disturbing elements into our own federation in such large numbers would be sheer madness, so before we do that we must clean up the country, even if this means using the methods Divine Providence used on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We must destroy everything within our cannons’ range of fire. We must impose a harsh blockade so that hunger and its constant companion, disease, undermine the peaceful population and decimate the Cuban army. The allied army must be constantly engaged in reconnaissance and vanguard actions so that the Cuban army is irreparably caught between two fronts and is forced to undertake dangerous and desperate measures. (snip/...)

http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/bmemo.htm

[area51]

42. deja vu

In 1897, John C. Breckenridge said:

"Since they only possess a vague notion of what is right and wrong, the people tend to seek pleasure not through work, but through violence. As a logical consequence of this lack of morality, there is a great disregard for life."

Interesting. It sounds like Breckenridge was describing current republinazis.

[Clark4Prez]

16. This is all Florida's fault!

Like many of Dubya's actions, this one is sheer pandering. Nothing will happen out of it, except that Bush will shore up the Cuban vote in Florida.

You see, the Cubans are not at all happy about Iraq, because they feel that if anyone should be "liberated" it is the Cuban people (I'll leave the merits of that position to another discussion).

This is about vote pandering, nothing more. But, hey, when it comes to vapid, empty, and meaningless policy, think of Bush.

[Judi Lynn]

18. Clark4Prez, I hope you're right.

You seem familiar with the routine. I hope it's a lot of hot air.

Very glad to see your observations. Welcome to D.U.! :bounce: :bounce: :hi:

[Osolomia]

20. You do realize that Clark's pandering to the "exile" vote too?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=250379#250431

[Judi Lynn]

17. Very, very sad. I hope you'll read this new article

(snip)
Cuba’s Castros worry about attack

Fidel and Raul express concern about U.S. intentions

By Mary Murray
NBC NEWS

HAVANA, Dec. 8 — Events in Iraq and the upcoming U.S. presidential election have begun to worry Cuba’s Castro brothers. They sent a strong message to Washington this weekend, warning that any military action against the island would be a colossal and costly mistake.

“THE AGGRESSORS would pay a higher price-be they Yanquis alone or with their British or Spanish cousin,” said Defense Minister Raúl Castro in rare remarks to the international press Sunday. “They’ll never dominate this country because we’re prepared for them.”

General Castro, Fidel Castro’s younger brother and appointed successor, warned that foreign invaders would meet land mines, ambushes and resistance along every square meter of Cuban territory. “This country is a trap… any invader who sets foot here will leave their boot and leg behind.”

After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq last spring, Cuban officials believe they could be next. When asked how genuine is the threat, General Castro argued, “Very real. If I didn’t believe it, I would propose that my government disband the armed forces.”

Periodically, talk of such an invasion sweeps across the island. Last April, Cuban high school students drew up plans on what to do in the event of an American invasion. The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, neighborhood watch groups, across Cuba made lists of everyone willing to open up their homes to people displaced by a war. (snip/...)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/1002837.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please call your Congress people if you are concerned about what _Bush is planning against these people.

[Vogon_Glory]

19. The Exiles Would Be Fools To Trust Dubya

Even if the post-Castro regime were to implode completely (Highly unlikely), Cuban exiles would be fools to trust George UU Bush and the Republican Party as a source of aid and funds for post-Communist reconstruction.

Do those fools in Miami who vote for the Fidel-bashers of their choice REALLY think that a US federal government with 500 billion dollar deficits and a skyrocketing debt is going to provide more than bandaids and happy thoughts for the work Cuba's infrastructure needs, especially when foreign aid has been a right-wing whipping boy for half a century?

Even if the current Cuban regime were to fall, they'd find themselves being betrayed like so many other interest groups who trusted Dubya. Two days after such a theoretical collapse, the Cuban exiles' right wing "Amurrican" buddies would zero out their request for national reconstruction.

:P :crazy:

[NashVegas]

21. Dec. 9 2003 - My Solution

Tell the Florida thugs they are going to give up their asset claims.

Boom. Relations normalized, Cuba is guaranteed we won't fuck with 'em, Castro can now rest easy and die in his sleep.

[Judi Lynn]

22. Reparations were discussed as far back as a conversation

between Che Guevara and an aide to John F. Kennedy, as revealed in declassified documents released in the last couple of years.

The subject was also brought up again, BY CUBA, in the last year or two, and was rejected by Miami Cubans. There's a post on this made yesterday or so on one of these threads.

Cuba has been willing from the first to complete the arrangements.

People and companies owning property who live are are based in other countries already went through their own arrangement for payment years and years ago.

Your idea of getting them to shut the bleep up, however, is excellent. They've worn out their welcome.

[dusty64]

23. chimp must be worried

about losing the Cuban vote next year. I'm no expert, but dropping the sanctions would be a smart way to open Cuba up to more democracy. I never trust our regime to do the right thing.

[Mika]

27. The Cuban-American vote is minute

Its just unbelievable that among our Dem candidates ALL except one (D.K.) are pandering the extremist right wing elements within that community by espousing maintaining sanctions on Cuba.

Doing so alienates much larger and more important voter blocks both nationally and in Florida.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7433163.htm

A poll conducted for The Herald and the St. Petersburg Times found that Florida voters, like those nationwide, overwhelmingly favor lifting the ban on travel to Cuba.

Congress has moved to ease the ban, but President Bush has opposed such a move and, under pressure from influential Cuban-American exiles, has moved to crack down on illegal travel to the island.

The issue could prove complicated for the president's reelection. He needs the continued backing of hundreds of thousands of Cuban Americans, but doing so means he risks alienating the rest of the state and voters in farm states where businesses are eager to trade with Cuba.

Looks like the majority of our Dem candidates support the Bush Doctrine and/or Bush tactics in wooing the extremist right wing Cuban-American vote.

Pity. Look what it got Joe Liebermen and Al Gore in Florida (who, along w/Bill Clinton, pandered to the same r/w "exile" groups) - it got them a knife in the back

[htuttle]

25. Bush says, "Here's how I plan to overthrow the government next door."

Just comes right out and pledges to violate the UN Charter for political gain.

What's it to him, anyway. As long as the rest of the world keeps accepting our worthless debt-money, he could care less about international relations.

[Just Me]

26. I smell harsher sanctions for Cuba,...

,...which will so weaken the nation that it will be an easy overthrow,...similar to Iraq,...I hope not,...but, I suspect so,...

[Osolomia]

30. I smell a Venezualan style coupe with Dem complicity

based on a pack of lies ...similar to Iraq,...I hope not,...but, I suspect so,...

Travel banned Americans are dreaming if they think Cuba would "be an easy overthrow".

[durutti]

29. May Day

How ironic.

Bush may well start another war to get elected (for the first time!) in 2004.

[NashVegas]

32. How Do You Modernize What's Reported to be one of the Most Advanced ..

Health programs in the hemisphere?

[Osolomia]

33. Bush is just enforcing a law passed by Clinton's America

in 1996 in a fit of ignorant hysteria that persists to this day, and commonly known as the Helms-Burton Act:

According to the language of the act itself, its purpose was to increase economic pressures on the island so as to replace Fidel Castro with a transitional government that would lead the island to full democracy.

THE HELMS-BURTON ACT: A LOOSE CANON?
By Wayne S. Smith
http://ciponline.org/loosecan.htm


Since 1985, we have stated publicly that we will encourage and openly finance dissident and human rights groups in Cuba; this, too, is in our interests. The United States isn't financing all those groups--only the ones that are best known internationally.

Those dissidents and human rights groups in Cuba--that are nothing but a few people--are only important to the extent that they serve us in a single cause: that of destabilizing Fidel Castro's regime.

Through those two policies--economic pressure and human rights--we want to force the overthrow of Fidel Castro and then install a transitional government that we like--to reinstate the people we want and, thus control Cuba once again.

--Wayne Smith, former head of the US Interests Section in Havana http://members.attcanada.ca/~dchris/CubaFAQ112.html


Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996

P.L. 104-114
One Hundred Fourth Congress
of the United States of America

An Act
To seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes.

Full text:
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/libertad.htm

[Mika]

34. Gee. I wonder why

For the DUers who mistakenly think that CANF are exclusively repugs.



CANF founder and Clinton fundraiser Jorge Mas Canosa & Bill Clinton


Some cash to the campaign coffers and what did the CANF get? The Helms-Burton law, the Libertad act, "wet foot/ dry foot" (for Cuban illegals only), the BttR settlement, millions more tax dollars to Radio/TV Marti, the South Florida security zone, and more.

Mission accomplished (for the CANF).

[Osolomia]

35. Dem complicity with the Bush Doctrine is evident

like a huge flashing neon sign that even DUers chose to ignore.

No wonder the party keeps losing.

[Dirk39]

36. There must be something about Cuba, these fashist killers...

hate. And it can't be the lack of democrazy, human rights or health care...

healthcare?
I really don't wanna know, what's happening if these terrorists, who hate freedom, overthrow the cuban government and replace it with their whores again.

"Cuba is determined to oppose the state sponsors of terror. Yet we are equally determined to respect and help the men and women those regimes oppress. Our enemy is not the American world. Many friendly Americans are, themselves, the targets of extremist terror. Our enemy is not the christian religion, a good and peace-loving faith, that brings direction and comfort to over one billion people, including millions of Cubans. And our enemy is not the people of any nation, even when their leaders harbor terrorists. Our enemy is the Miami terrorists themselves, and the regimes that shelter and sustain them (and everyone, who drinks Bacardi)."
Dirk W. Bush



Pissed of in Germany,
Dirk

[Just Me]

39. Interesting,...

,...would you kindly share your special interest (after you are finished being p*ssed off). I'd like to read more of your thoughts.

[Dirk39]

41. Hitler made the first of may a "celebration day", after...

it was the day, when workers were striking and rejected to work for decades. Clever move on his side. Now G.W.Bush tries to compete with him and give it a even more pervert meaning?
It's just perfect: a defenseless and weak state, just like Iraq. And a society, besides all shortcomings - whatelse would you expect, considering their situation, when you're not naive - that's still a symbol that something else than corporate brutalo-capitalism combined with a bigot democrazy that isn't one, exists in this world. A country that doesn't allow freedom, when freedom means nothing else than to allow the worldbank and the IMF to massmurder your people and close one hospital after the other in the name of the free market...
That's too much of a provocation.
But in case, you're asking for a bit of "realpolitik": I don't think that Cuba can survive this way. Their only small chance would be, that some more countries in Latinamerica will do, what Venezuela did. And that these countries will work together in their struggle against global corporate brutalo capitalism. But this is just a small chance.
It's as small as Kucinich winning the election in the USA. And the financial markets would just collapse in reaction. And the military would take over the USA. To protect democrazy, freedom, human rights or to fight terrorism or what do I know....


My interest is so very special,
Dirk

[catzies]

37. This thread predicted Cuba will be 51st state by end of the year

All Bush did was formalize the time table.

:scared:
edit to add link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=253633

[Osolomia]

45. With the full complicity of the Dems evidently

as the majority of DUhers and the Dem candidates go to show.

Ignorance is bliss, especially when you believe that no one will notice the well documented facts at your fingertips.

[mbperrin]

38. Will they be recommending a powder to make his beard fall out?

Or an exploding cigar, maybe!

Could be done by Halliburton for $23-45 billion, tops (unless it snows. Or doesn't snow.)

[shooga]

40. Heeeeeere's Jebbie !!

The Jeb Bush Connection

This is a murky story with connections to the Nicaraguan Contras, the Mafia, Cuban-American terrorists, Iran-Contra, bribery and corruption, coverups and the CIA. Essentially, IMC was contracted to give medical assistance to the Nicaraguan Contras but the story is in fact, a lot more complex and gives you some idea of just how inter-connected events really are, especially when you’re dealing the Bush clan. Perhaps this review of a book by Duncan Campbell The Bush Dynasty and the Cuban Criminal, will give you some idea:

"The Bush family connections go back to 1984 when Jeb Bush began a close association with Camilo Padreda, a former intelligence officer with the Batista dictatorship overthrown by Fidel Castro.

Jeb Bush was then the chairman of the Dade county Republican party and Padreda its finance chairman. Padreda had earlier been indicted on a $500,000 (£320,000) embezzlement charge along with a fellow exile, Hernandez Cartaya, but the charges were dropped, reportedly after the CIA stated that Cartaya had worked for them.

Padreda later pleaded guilty to defrauding the housing and urban development department of millions of dollars during the 1980s.

The president's younger brother was also on the payroll in the 80s of the prominent Cuban exile Miguel Recarey, who had earlier assisted the CIA in attempts to assassinate President Castro.

Recarey, who ran International Medical Centers (IMC), employed Jeb Bush as a real estate consultant and paid him a $75,000 fee for finding the company a new location, although the move never took place, which raised questions at the time. Jeb Bush did, however, lobby the Reagan/Bush administration vigorously and successfully on behalf of Recarey and IMC. "I want to be very wealthy," Jeb Bush told the Miami News when questioned during that period.

In 1985, Jeb Bush acted as a conduit on behalf of supporters of the Nicaraguan contras with his father, then the vice-president, and helped arrange for IMC to provide free medical treatment for the contras.

Recarey was later charged with massive medicare fraud but fled the US before his trial and is now a fugitive.

Jeb Bush sealed his popularity with the Cuban exile community by acting as campaign manager for another prominent Cuban-American, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, when she ran successfully for Congress.

George Bush Sr famously appeared with her during her campaign in Miami declaring: "I am certain in my heart I will be the first American president to step foot on the soil of a free and independent Cuba."

She has since lobbied successfully for the release of several exiles convicted of terrorist offences held in US jails but who now live freely in Miami.

Most controversially, at the request of Jeb, Mr Bush Sr intervened to release the convicted Cuban terrorist Orlando Bosch from prison and then granted him US residency.

According to the justice department in George Bush Sr's administration, Bosch had participated in more than 30 terrorist acts. He was convicted of firing a rocket into a Polish ship which was on passage to Cuba. He was also implicated in the 1976 blowing-up of a Cubana plane flying to Havana from Venezuela in which all 73 civilians on board were killed.

CIA memorandums strongly suggest, according to Bardach's book, that Bosch was one of the conspirators, and quotes the then secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, as writing that the "US government had been planning to suggest Bosch's deportation before Cubana airlines crash took place for his suspected involvement in other terrorist acts and violation of his parole".

Bosch's release, often referred to in the US media as a pardon, was the result of pressure brought by hardline Cubans in Miami, with Jeb Bush serving as their point man. Bosch now lives in Miami and remains unrepentant about his militant activities, according to Bardach.

In July this year, Jeb Bush nominated Raoul Cantero, the grandson of Batista, as a Florida supreme court judge despite his lack of experience. Mr Cantero had previously represented Bosch and acted as his spokesman, once describing Bosch on Miami radio as a "great Cuban patriot"".

Source: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1202-05.htm

[Media_Lies_Daily]

43. Chimpster's Dad failed to do the job during the Bay of Pigs...

...the Chimpster wants revenge for his father.

[goforit]

44. Do these bozos have anything else to do with their time????????

They have toooooo much time to do nothing but stir up trouble!!!

It is like dealing with Parents of teenagers that can do nothing but
stir up trouble after school.

These guys need to get a life!!!!!!!!!!

[Judi Lynn]

47. Comments from Wayne S. Smith,ex-head of the US Interests Section,Havana

Power without statesmanship will not gain peace
By Wayne S. Smith
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 28, 2003



(snip) Increasingly also, the U.S. is isolated in international organizations. There were two important votes on the Middle East in the U.N. General Assembly over the past two months, for example. The United States lost one by 133-4, the other 144-4. In both cases, only Israel, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia voted with the United States. Every other country, including Japan and all our European allies, voted against us. The vote to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba was even more overwhelming this year than in the past -- 179-3; only Israel and the Marshall Islands voted with us.

In June, for the first time ever, the countries of the Organization of American States voted to exclude the United States from membership in the Inter-American Human Rights Commission. As a Latin American diplomat in Washington, D.C., put it: "It's a symbolic rebuff -- to show our disapproval of U.S. policies." (snip/...)

http://ciponline.org/nationalsecurity/sfss112803smith.htm

[bushisanidiot]

48. "D" Student Bush sez "Communist Cuba Baaad! Communist China Gooood!!"

the repukes continue to spew garbage out of both sides of their mouths.


What a WEAK "president"!