[NYTr] Bush to Announce New Plots Against Cuba on Wednesday

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

[This coincides with the annual General Assembly vote against the US
blockade, and follows yesterday's absurd announcement (also an
annual event) that the US considers Cuba to be involved in "human
trafficking." It's hard to reconcile the picture of "human trafficking"
with the notion they've always pushed before, that Cuba is Fidel's
prison island where no one gets out, no one gets in, and barbed wire
grows all around the island out of the ocean.  It is the head-hunters
and sports-star sellers, and the predatory people-smugglers with fast
boats out of Miami who do the "human trafficking" when it comes to Cuba.

There's no hint or even speculation here on what new schemes
or accusations the delusional Bush could possibly dream up. -NY Transfer]

AFP via Google - Oct 20, 2007
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hN4V4b3WoBUVW6iWVpxtQWMaji6g

Bush to unveil 'new initiatives' on Cuba

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush is to unveil "new
initiatives" to help Cubans and push for democracy in the communist-run
nation, the White House said Friday.

Bush is scheduled to speak on Cuba policy at the State Department on
Wednesday where he will announce "new initiatives to help the people of
Cuba," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Friday.

The announcement comes as Cuban leader Fidel Castro continues to be
sidelined from power since undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in July
2006. Castro's brother, Raul, is serving as president while his elder
brother recovers.

The US leader angered Cuban officials last month when he said before
the United Nations General Assembly that the long rule of "cruel
dictator" Castro "is nearing its end" and that Cubans were "ready for
their freedom."

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque walked out of the General
Assembly hall when Bush made the remarks.

"The President intends to emphasize the importance of democracy for the
Cuban people and the role the international community can play in
Cuba's transition, by insisting on free speech, free assembly, free and
competitive elections, and the release of all political prisoners,"
Fratto said.

The White House and State Department did not elaborate on the "new
initiatives."

Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said, "The United States wants
to be able to be in a position to assist the Cuban people as they move
through that transition" from nearly a five-decade rule by Castro.

When asked whether a longstanding US economic embargo on Cuba should be
lifted during the transition, Casey said, "We believe that what should
be lifted is the longstanding embargo on the rights of the Cuban people
that's been imposed by Fidel Castro." 

© 2007 AFP. All rights reserved.