Fact
Sheet: Commission for Assistance to a Free
Cuba
The
White House, December
8, 2003.
"Our government will establish a Commission
for the Assistance to a Free Cuba, to plan
for the happy day when Castro's regime is
no more and democracy comes to the island."
- President George W. Bush, October 10,
2003
On December 5, 2003, the President's Commission
for Assistance to a Free Cuba held its inaugural
meeting at the White House. The meeting
was co-chaired by Secretary of State Colin
Powell and Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development Mel Martinez. Also in attendance
were Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Secretary
of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, and National
Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
United States policy regarding Cuba is
clear -- hasten Cuba's peaceful transition
to a representative democracy and a free
market economy -- ending decades of an oppressive
dictatorship. The President created the
Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
to focus the United States government efforts
on achieving this objective.
Specifically, the Commission will:
o identify additional means by which the
United States can help the Cuban people
bring about an expeditious end of the dictatorship;
and
o consider the requirements for United
States assistance to a post-dictatorship
Cuba.
By May 1, 2004, the Commission will provide
an initial report to the President regarding
the recommended elements of a comprehensive
program to assist the Cuban people to:
o bring about a peaceful, near-term end
to the dictatorship; o establish democratic
institutions, respect for human rights,
and the rule of law; o create the core institutions
of a free economy; o modernize infrastructure;
and o meet basic needs in the areas of health,
education, housing, and human services.
The Commission consists of representatives
from:
The Departments of State, the Treasury,
Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture,
Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development, Transportation,
Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and
Homeland Security, the United States Agency
for International Development, National
Security Council, Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Management and Budget,
United States Trade Representative, and
the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
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