A number of organizations that work on U.S. policy toward Cuba have joined together in sending out a call to the White House for non- interference in the sovereign affairs of Cuba. ---------------------- Refrain from Interference in Cuba's Internal Political Affairs A number of organizations that work on U.S. policy toward Cuba have joined together in sending out the following call to the White House for non-interference in the sovereign affairs of Cuba. For the first time in 47 years, Cuba is undergoing a transfer of political power, as President Fidel Castro has temporarily turned the reins of government over to his brother, Raul and other leaders of the Cuban Government. No one knows whether Fidel Castro will recuperate from his illness and return to office, or whether Raul Castro and his leadership team will continue in power. But we do know this: the future of Cuba should only be decided by the Cuban people themselves—those living in Cuba, without interference by the United States or others. The Bush administration has set criteria for what an acceptable post- Fidel Castro government in Cuba should look like, and has committed funds to encourage a transition to such a government in Cuba. This is wrong. The United States should not interfere in any way in Cuban internal affairs. Not only is it improper for the United States to take actions that interfere with Cuba's sovereignty, but these actions are likely to be counter-productive. In the past, groups within the hard-line Cuban-American community have taken provocative and belligerent actions to destabilize the political situation in Cuba. U.S. authorities should take every appropriate step to prevent these groups from launching any hostile or provocative actions from U.S. soil. At a time when events are unfolding in Cuba, we are missing an incredible opportunity for Americans to engage directly with Cubans. Under current policy, U.S. citizens have very little contact with people and institutions on the island. Cuban-Americans have lost nearly all access to their own family members on the island. Student study abroad programs have been all but eliminated. Visits to the United States by Cuban cultural groups and academics have been sharply curtailed. And new restrictions have reduced contact between religious groups in Cuba and their counterparts in the United States. To understand and relate to developments in Cuba, the Bush administration should permit U.S. citizens to engage with Cuba, through travel and trade, rather than continuing a failed policy of isolation. Now is the time for all of us to work together to make our voices heard in Washington to ensure that the Bush administration respects Cuba's sovereignty and international law, and promotes peace by refraining from interference in Cuba's internal political process. Signatories:
Mavis Anderson and Claire Rodriguez, Latin America Working Group (LAWG)
Gary Cozette and Marilyn McKenna, Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
Delvis Fernandez Levy, Cuban-American Alliance Education Fund (CAAEF)
Alvaro Fernandez, Cuban American Commission for Family Rights
John McAuliff, Fund for Reconciliation and Development
Ruben Rumbaut, Emergency Network of Cuban American Scholars and Artists for Change in U.S.- Cuba Policy (ENCASA)
Wayne Smith, Center for International Policy (CIP)
Melinda St. Louis, Marty Hooper, Erik Cooke, and Patrick Leet, Witness for Peace
Sarah Stephens, Freedom to Travel Campaign
Geoff Thale and Elsa Falkenburger, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Silvia Wilhelm, Puentes Cubanos More information, including an action citizens can take, can be found on the website of the Latin America Working Group http://www.lawg.org/countries/cuba/alert_08-04-06.htm