US News

Bush allows Americans to send cell phones to Cuba

May 21, 2008, 16:26 GMT

Washington - Reforms recently introduced by the Cuban government to allow greater access to technology must be accompanied by real democratic and economic change to improve life on the communist island, US President George W Bush said Wednesday. Bush, marking a 'day of solidarity' with the Cuban people on the week of the 106th anniversary of the island's independence, said he has approved allowing Americans to send cellular phones to Cuba to test whether Cuban leader Raul Castro was serious about the reforms. 'Since Raul is allowing Cubans to own mobile phones for the first time, we're going to change our regulations to allow Americans to send mobile phones to family members in Cuba,' Bush said. 'If Raul's serious about his so-called reforms, he will allow these phones to reach the Cuban people,' Bush said. Since formally taking power in February from his ailing brother Fidel, Raul Castro has lifted restrictions on access to technologies like computers and cell phones, as well as foreign household appliances. The Bush administration has dismissed the measures as token gestures that are unaffordable for must Cubans and do little to end decades of repression by the Castro regime. 'Its recent gestures appear to be nothing more than a cruel joke perpetuated on a long-suffering people,' Bush said. 'If the Cuban regime is serious about improving life for the Cuban people, it will take steps necessary to make these changes meaningful,' Bush told guests at the White House. Cuba's state-run economy must be pushed aside and replaced by a free market that allows enterprise and growth to reverse decades of neglect under the Castros, Bush said. 'Only when Cubans have an economy that makes prosperity possible will these announcements lead to any real improvements in their daily lives,' Bush said. Bush demanded the regime allow Cubans to freely express themselves and free more than 200 political prisoners serving long sentences in 'Castro's tropical gulag' for voicing their political views. Bush has insisted the United States will not lift sanctions that have been in place on Cuba since the 1960s until steps are undertaken to enact democratic reforms leading to free elections. 'The world is watching the Cuban regime,' Bush said. 'If it follows its recent public gestures by opening up access to information, and implementing meaningful economic reform, respecting political freedom and human rights, then it can credibly say it has delivered the beginnings of change.' 'But experience tells us this regime has no intention of taking these steps,' he added. Raul, 76, has been running Cuba since July 2006 after Fidel, 81, transferred power to undergo emergency intestinal surgery. Fidel has been largely out of the public since and formally ceded power to his brother on February 24. The Bush administration has pledged to not hold dialogue with the regime unless meaningful reforms are introduced, a policy endorsed by presumptive Republican candidate John McCain. McCain on Tuesday criticized the leading Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, for his willingness to hold unconditional talks with Cuba's leadership to encourage reforms.

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in US

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

BushMay 21st, 2008 - 17:45:20

is really doing great things lately and I can't believe his come-back. First he gives up golf to show the families of the fallen soldiers in Iraq, 'proper respect'. Now he's allowing Americans to send Cubans cell phones. Bush has a destiny with history as a great man; a man willing to sacrifice for his country and a man who shows compassion for Cubans without cell phones.

Report this comment

Chad M.May 21st, 2008 - 18:07:01

The Democrats get criticised for wanting to deal/talk with communist or so-called terrorist countries, and now Bush is wanting to make nice with Cuba????? He's trying every little thing to add to his almost depleted list of accomplishments before he leaves office.

Report this comment

PperfectMay 22nd, 2008 - 01:43:54

There must be a Bush somewhere that owns the company (or a lot of stock in the company) that is selling the phones that are going to Cuba. This leach does nothing if it does not benefit himself, his family, or his friends.

Report this comment

Occam's razorMay 22nd, 2008 - 02:03:40

'There must be a Bush somewhere that owns the company (or a lot of stock in the company) that is selling the phones that are going to Cuba.'

Conspiracy theories are the first refuge of the weak and childish mind.

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Video News

Latest from M&C Blogs

Wa Po buries Jesse Helms - Global Eye on July 8, 2008 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Bush calls for agreement on climate change at G8 summit - Global Eye on July 7, 2008 2:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gordon Brown calls on G8 leaders to secure trade deal - Global Eye on July 4, 2008 3:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Algae bloom threatening Olympic sailing events - The World in Pictures on July 4, 2008 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Recreation of the Argo - The World in Pictures on July 2, 2008 7:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The Nigh' by Spanish artist Antonio Lope - The World in Pictures on July 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

US

US News

Bush allows Americans to send cell phones to Cuba

Latest Headlines in US

Talkback

Most Popular Articles on M&C Today

Video News

Latest from M&C Blogs

Similar articles

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print