Cuban dissidents reject Bush pro-democracy plan

Cuban dissidents reject Bush pro-democracy plan

11.05.2004 11.28 am

HAVANA - Leading Cuban dissidents on Monday rejected US President George W Bush's plans to speed up a democratic transition in communist-run Cuba and said US meddling would not help bring political change.

The White House announced steps on Thursday to spend US$36 million ($59.10 million) on promoting democratic change in Cuba and blocking a communist succession when President Fidel Castro dies.
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"This is a total interference that does not benefit the building of democracy in Cuba," said moderate dissident Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, who criticised Bush's policy in a statement he handed in at the US diplomatic mission in Havana.

"The United States has no right to set the pace of a transition in Cuba. It is humiliating," said Manuel Cuesta Morua, another moderate who accompanied Gutierrez Menoyo.
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3565676&thesection=news&thesubsection=world

There is no REAL interest in helping the Cuban people or dislodging Castro.

The real political interest relating to Cuba is in garnering votes and campaign contributions for candidates on both sides of this issue, for both parties.

The standoff will remain. The status quo prevails - in the name of US politics and campaign funding.