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U.S. announces steps to increase humanitarian aid to Cuba
Albright announced four steps aimed at helping the Cuban people In this story:
March 20, 1998
- Move reverses restrictions imposed in '96
- Regime called 'responsible for murder'
- Foreign minister rejects 'crumbs'
- 'Energy and excitement'
- Related sites and stories
Web posted at: 5:20 p.m. EDT (1720 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Saying that the Cuban people are beginning to think beyond Cuban President Fidel Castro "and we need to do the same," U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced four steps Friday aimed at helping the Cuban people.
They include:
- Developing legislation to allow for the shipment of food to the Cuban people.
- Increasing the licensing of those who deliver medical supplies to Cuba.
- Allowing charter flights to Cuba for humanitarian purposes.
- Permitting Cuban-American families to send money to their relatives in Cuba
In announcing the changes, Albright made it clear in no uncertain terms that they "do not represent a change in policy toward the Cuban government."
She noted that every country in the Americas has an elected government "and we believe the Cuban people deserve the same."
She said the U.S. will continue its pressure on Cuba through its economic embargo and the Helms-Burton Act, which provides for penalties for countries and companies that do business with Cuba.
Regime called 'responsible for murder'
She said the U.S. believes Cuba should open up its government, release political prisoners and respect human rights.
She also said that the U.S. "won't forget" that the Cubans shot down two Brothers to the Rescue airplanes carrying three U.S. citizens and a Cuban citizen in February 1996. She said the U.S. still considers the Cuban regime "responsible for murder."
Albright said: "We would like to see Castro embrace democracy." But she pointed out, however, that even if he does not "the Cuban people are thinking beyond Castro, and we need to do the same."
The changes reverse restrictions imposed by President Clinton after the 1996 shooting down of the two planes by Cuban jets.
In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Castro welcomed the changes, saying they "would be a positive thing" and "would be helpful" in creating a better climate in relations between Cuba and the United States.
"They would be a positive thing, constructive measures that would be helpful and conducive to a better climate in relations between the United States and Cuba," he said. "But as I'm telling you, we would have to study them fully to express our views in that connection."
However, Castro said that the structure of Cuban government would not change.
Foreign minister rejects 'crumbs'
Castro during his exclusive interview with CNN Later, Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina called the moves unacceptable "crumbs." Speaking to reporters during a visit to Geneva, he said much more had to be done by the United States. "
"I think this is a cosmetic operation. It does not go to the heart of the problem," he said. "For the Cuban people, the blockade has to be lifted, and not just eased... When humanitarian help appears with conditions, with blackmail, it is a political maneuver which we are not prepared to accept."
White House spokesman Mike McCurry said the Clinton administration hopes "to build on the impact" of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Cuba in January, "to support the role of the church and other elements of civil society in Cuba, and to help prepare the Cuban people for a transition to democracy."
Albright said she met recently with the pope, and that he remarked on "the warmth of his reception" when he visited Cuba in January.
Energy and excitement
Albright said the pope "supported the idea to reduce the suffering" in Cuba and "hoped his pilgrimage would have a similar impact" that his visit to Poland did when that country was still under the Soviet Union's dominance.
Saying that Americans feel "a deep bond" with their Cuban "brothers and sisters," Albright said that bond can produce "historic change."
"There are huge currents of energy and excitement in Cuba," she said, adding that the United States hopes to help the Cuban people "without helping the Cuban government."
Reuters contributed to this report.
VXtreme streaming video (6:30)
Albright explains the goal of this action
Special section:
Related stories:
- Castro wants to hear details on expected easing of U.S. sanctions - March 20, 1998
- Clinton set to ease some restrictions on Cuba - March 19, 1998
- Cuba ordered to pay $187 million for fatal shootdown - December 17, 1997
- Cuba sanctions bill clears Congress - March 6, 1996
Related sites:
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- CubaWeb - National web site of the Republic of Cuba
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