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United States of America

Department of Commerce

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Sunday, June 15, 2008

202-482-4883

Secretary Gutierrez Statement on Call with Dissidents in Cuba

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement after speaking with Cuba’s leading dissidents on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15. Representatives of the Ladies in White and other Cuban dissidents participated in the call.

“Today I had the distinct privilege to speak with some of Cuba’s leading dissidents in Havana who continue to struggle every day living in repression under Raul Castro’s communist regime. I have the utmost respect and admiration for their continued efforts on behalf of freedom for political prisoners and democracy in Cuba, and assured them of President’s Bush’s continued support.

“We must never forget that the Cuban people are suffering terribly under a brutally repressive regime. It is important that the United States continues to support the dissidents’ efforts for change until the hundreds of political prisoners are released, and human rights are restored.”

Secretary Gutierrez co-chairs with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, a U.S. Cabinet-level commission formed to explore ways the United States can help hasten and ease a democratic transition in Cuba.