US News
Rice reinforces message to Cuba on democratic change
By DPA
Aug 5, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Washington/Havana - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday directly urged Cubans to work for democratic change and said the US would back them in their efforts.

In a message beamed directly to Cuba on the US-operated Radio and Television Marti, Rice encouraged the Cuban people 'to work at home for positive stand.'

'We stand ready to provide you with humanitarian assistance, as you begin to chart a new course for your country,' Rice said. 'All Cubans who desire peaceful democratic change can count on the support of the United States.'

The message, which reinforced comments out of Washington over the past several days, was sent four days after Cuba's leader of 47 years, Fidel Castro, handed over power temporarily to his younger brother, Raul, while he recovers from surgery to curb intestinal bleeding.

Neither man has been pictured in the official media since Monday. Cuba's Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer said Friday in Guatemala that Castro was 'recovering satisfactorily.' Rice did not mention Castro's illness in her message.

Through the week, the US has urged Cubans to stay put on their island and work for positive change.

But Rice's words were broadcast directly on Radio and Television Marti, operated by the US government to specifically target Cuba, only 150 kilometres off the coast of the US. Havana often jams the broadcasts.

Rice's message fell short of US President George W Bush's words on Thursday, when he pledged US support for efforts 'to build a transitional government in Cuba committed to democracy.'

'We will take note of those, in the current Cuban regime, who obstruct your desire for a free Cuba,' Bush warned.

His comments drew immediate reaction from Havana, where Cuban television gathered the leading pro-government journalists. They interpreted Bush's comments as yet another attempt by the US to carry out its longstanding plan to deprive Cuba of the achievements of its 1959 Revolution.

In his transfer-of-power message on Monday, Castro warned that the US would try to use his illness to threaten his country.

In her radio message, Rice said the US respects Cuba's 'aspirations as sovereign citizens' who have the right 'to speak as you choose, to think as you please, to worship as you wish, and to choose your leaders, freely and fairly, in democratic elections.'

The US has enforced a 44-year-long economic blockade of the Caribbean island, since Castro took power with a communist government and seized property owned by US citizens.

'It has long been the hope of the United States that a free, independent, and democratic Cuba would be more than just a close neighbour ­ it would be a close friend,' Rice said. 'This is our goal, now more than ever, and throughout this time of change, all of you must know that you have no greater friend than the United States of America.'

US policy is of great importance for the future development of the largest island among the Antilles. European diplomats and businesses hope that Washington will choose a discrete, prudent approach as it moves forward. Some are even of the opinion that the US should lift the blockade it has imposed on Cuba since 1962.

Lifting the embargo at this time would put the ball in Havana's court, one businessman said, adding that the Cuban leadership should first implement economic reforms to improve the daily life of its people before going about political changes.

News of Castro's illness prompted large celebrations by the exiled Cuban community on the streets of Miami and sparked speculation that he had actually died and Havana was keeping it secret.

Bush set up a commission in 2004 to explore ways to hasten the end of Castro's regime, develop plans to support a democratic transition in Cuba and provide humanitarian relief.