[NYTr] Bush to call on nations to help Cuba's "pro-democracy" movement

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

CBC News - Oct 23, 2007
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/23/bush-cuba.html

Bush to call on nations to help Cuba's pro-democracy movement

CBC News

In his first speech dedicated solely to Cuba in four years, U.S.
President George W. Bush on Wednesday is expected to call for an
international effort to back peaceful, pro-democracy groups on the
island.

Bush, who will deliver the address at the State Department, is expected
to envision a time when ordinary Cubans can choose a representative
government and enjoy basic freedoms, wire reports said Tuesday.

The speech comes amid speculation about Cuban leader Fidel Castro's
health. The 81-year-old hasn't been seen in public in more than a year
after being hospitalized for a mysterious intestinal ailment. In July
2006, Castro ceded power to his brother Raul, 76, who has handled the
day-to-day tasks of running the country.

Bush is expected to praise the efforts of pro-democracy groups on the
communist-run island, located about 150 kilometres south of Florida.
He'll also appeal directly to Cubans, telling them they have the power
to make change.

White House officials stressed Bush's speech isn't a call for armed or
violent uprisings.

The U.S. president is also expected to propose at least three
initiatives: the creation of an international "freedom fund" to help
Cuba's potential rebuilding of its country one day; a U.S. licensing of
private groups to provide internet access to Cuban students; and an
invitation to Cuban youth to join a scholarship program.

However, Bush won't make any changes to the decades-old embargo —which
prohibits Americans from visiting or conducting business with the
island.

In anticipation of the speech, Fidel Castro published an article
Tuesday accusing Bush of plotting "a new conquest of Cuba by force."

With files from the Associated Press