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Bipartisan Senators Urge Secretary Rice to Reconsider U.S. Policy Toward Cuba
Castro's resignation provides opportunity to change policy of isolation and estrangement
February 28, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) today joined 23 Republican and Democratic Senators in signing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging her to seize on the resignation of Fidel Castro to make a reassessment of U.S. policy toward Cuba. "Tough sanctions have failed to produce change, and our current policy makes it impossible to improve human rights conditions and promote democracy for our island neighbors," Akaka said. "We must provide opportunities for greater interaction between the citizens of our two countries." A copy of the letter appears below: February 28, 2008The Honorable Condoleeza RiceSecretary of StateU.S. Department of State2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520Dear Secretary Rice,On Tuesday, February 19, Fidel Castro resigned after serving as Cuba's leader for nearly 50 years. This welcome and historic event provides the United States with an important opportunity to reflect upon and reconsider U.S. policy toward Cuba.Our current policy of isolation and estrangement has failed. New laws that tightened sanctions in 1992 and 1996 have had no effect. The administration's 2004 sanctions and its comprehensive plan to bring about transition in Cuba have failed in their objective. The absence of Fidel Castro for 20 months has not led to a change in the system.Instead, our current policy deprives the United States of influence in Cuba, including the opportunity to promote principles that advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. By restricting the ability of Americans to travel freely to Cuba, we limit contact and communication on the part of families, civil society, and government. Likewise, by restricting the ability of our farmers, ranchers, and businesses to trade with Cuba, the United States has made itself irrelevant in Cuba's growing economy, allowing Cuba to build economic partnerships elsewhere.There is no magic U.S. policy that will transform Cuba. But with Cuba facing a period of change, we have a new opportunity to seize. Our policy based on sanctions, passivity, and waiting should end. We need a new approach that defends human rights, is confident about the value of American engagement with Cubans, builds new economic bridges between America and Cuba, and seeks every possible avenue of increasing American influence.We urge you to take a fresh look at our policy toward Cuba. We should seize upon Castro's long-awaited and welcome departure to chart a new course that favors hope and engagement over isolation and estrangement.Respectfully, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI)Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)-END-
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
February 2008
- Feingold, Akaka Fight for Veteran Health Care [February 29, 2008]
- Akaka Chairs hearing on Government-wide Intelligence Community Management Reforms [February 29, 2008]
- Statement on Resignation of Under Secretary for Benefits from VA [February 28, 2008]
- Bipartisan Senators Urge Secretary Rice to Reconsider U.S. Policy Toward Cuba [February 28, 2008]
- Expert Testimony on PTSD and Veterans' Disability Compensation in Senate Veterans Affairs Committee [February 27, 2008]
- University of Hawaii Selected as Homeland Security Center [February 26, 2008]
- Chairman Akaka and Majority Members of Veterans' Affairs Committee Provide Budget Views and Estimates [February 22, 2008]
- Akaka Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies [February 21, 2008]
- Senate Democrats Discuss Efforts to Protect Wounded Warriors and Veterans [February 15, 2008]
- Dept. of Labor Implements Akaka USERRA Recommendations [February 15, 2008]
- Veterans Diagnosed with PTSD on Active Duty No Longer Required to Provide Further Evidence of PTSD [February 15, 2008]
- Akaka Reacts to Army Recommendation to Station Stryker Brigade at Schofield [February 15, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Funding with New VA Secretary Peake [February 14, 2008]
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Highlighted in GAO Report [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Cost-of-Living Increase for Disabled Veterans [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Votes to Support Senate Stimulus Package [February 7, 2008]
- Akaka Responds to Reports About Fort Drum [February 7, 2008]
- Feinstein, Akaka, Dicks and Grijalva Urge Interior Secretary to Retain Reagen-Era Restrictions on Loaded Firearms in America's Natonal Parks and Wildlife Refuges [February 7, 2008]
- Statement Marking Senator Inouye's 15,000 Vote in the United States Senate [February 6, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Rehabilitation [February 5, 2008]
- Senators Call for Improved Compensation for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury [February 5, 2008]
- Proposed Veterans' Budget Would Scale Back Recent Gains for Veterans [February 4, 2008]
- More than $7.8 Million in Homeland Security Funds for Hawaii, Akaka and Inouye Announce [February 1, 2008]
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