Top Senate Dems and State Dept close to ending monthslong impasse over Cuba democracy programs

[Judi Lynn]

Top Senate Dems and State Dept close to ending monthslong impasse over Cuba democracy programs
DESMOND BUTLER, DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press
7:24 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Senate Democrat is close to ending his hold on $20 million that the administration had ticketed for a program to promote democracy in communist Cuba, a monthslong challenge to President Barack Obama with possible ramifications for the 2012 election.

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said Thursday he was working with the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development on ensuring the effectiveness of the program to promote human rights and basic freedoms. Established in 1996, the Cuba Program has been beset with reports that some grantees misused funds and the government provided little oversight.

His goal, Kerry said in an interview, was to make sure the "money is well spent." He had blocked the distribution of the $20 million on April 1, arguing that the funds weren't helping the Cuban people and instead were provoking the Raul Castro regime. He was joined by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign aid, who also had serious concerns about the program's mismanagement.

"Senator Kerry has been working with the State Department and USAID to make sure these programs represent an effective use of taxpayer funds and discussions remain focused on that objective," Kerry's office said in a statement.

More:
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-cuba-democracy-money,0,4022350.story

[flamingdem]

1. They had better not bend to Menendez

it's a chance to moderate these misguided programs to pave the way to normalization.

Just hope the mafia gets slapped somewhat on this at least.

I notice no mention of Freedom House, I guess they dropped out..