CHAIRMAN DAN BURTON EXPRESSES STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE LATEST REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION FOR ASSISTANCE TO A FREE CUBA

-U.S. ASSISTANCE WILL HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF DEMOCRACY, HOPE AND FREEDOM TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE-

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Dan Burton [R-IN-05], Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, released the following statement upon the announcement of the July 2006 Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC II) report:

"I applaud the hard work of Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, and Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry, who worked diligently to craft this comprehensive and action-oriented report.  Their insights are felt throughout the report, which reaffirms the United States' strong commitment to the democratic forces of Cuba.

"The United States will continue to stand with the freedom-loving people of Cuba in opposition to the brutal dictatorial regime of Fidel Castro and his gang of thugs, lead by his brother Raul Castro.  The Cuban Communist regime, increasingly funded by the anti-U.S. regime in Venezuela, continues to oppress the Cuban people at home, and is actively working to subvert democracy and peace throughout the hemisphere.

"As the CAFC II report states 'this is a time for bold, decisive action and clarity of message' and with the $80 million President George W. Bush pledged to the initiative, we can truly assist Cuban media outlets and civil society organizations, and provide these pro-democratic movements with the means to effectively spread their message of hope and freedom to the Cuban people.

"With our continued assistance, the Cuban people will begin to lay the groundwork for their eventual transition to a democratic and sovereign Cuba.

"I will continue to stand with the freedom-loving people of Cuba, and hope and pray that one day, with the renewed commitment and resolve of the United States and her democratic allies, the Cuban people will once again be able to live in a free and democratic Cuba."