There were a couple of notable omissions from President Bush's speech today on Cuba. Wet-foot, dry-foot is still in place, and so are limits on travel and remittances by Cuban Americans to family members on the island.
Regardless, it was an extraordinary speech, clearly laying out where the United States stands — for freedom, alongside the Cuban people — and that we are willing to help the Cuban people help themselves. There were no grand policy initiatives, fitting, perhaps for a lame-duck president. But the measures proposed — the development fund and promises of computers, Internet access and scholarships, if the Cuban government allows them — promise huge victories in return for rather modest investments.
The usual suspects, whether from the left or the right, are skeptical, if not outright derisive, about what the president had to say. And after almost seven years of not much from the White House on Cuba — except for the aforementioned enforcement of wet-foot, dry-foot and limits on travel and remittances — who can blame them?
The left is disappointed that Bush is sticking with the embargo and reiterating that the U.S. won't do business with either of the Castro brothers or anyone else of their kind. The right wants to know why Bush doesn't send in the Marines yesterday.
But as Henry Gomez wrote earlier today at Babalú, staying the course, with only slight corrections, keeps the United States on the proper track: Against tyranny, for freedom.
"Now is the time to support the democratic movements growing on the island," Bush said. "Now is the time to stand with the Cuban people as they stand up for their liberty. And now is the time for the world to put aside its differences and prepare for Cuban's transition to a future of freedom and progress and promise. The dissidents of today will be the nation's leaders tomorrow — and when freedom finally comes, they will surely remember who stood with them."
With them, is where America belongs.
Bush named names.
That is, the names of several Cuban political prisoners, including four who had family members in the audience:
Ricardo González Alfonso.
Bush also mentioned Oscar Elias Biscet, Normando Hernandez Gonzales, and Omar Rodriguez Saludes.
Hopefully, Bush's attention will make a difference.
One last thought:
A key theme to take away from the speech is that while Bush makes certain pledges and promises on behalf of the United States, it places the onus for charge clearly on the shoulders of the Cuban people. We will provide assistance, we will stand with the people, but forcing change, forcing democracy, is a job only for the Cubans.
"To the ordinary Cubans who are listening: You have the power to shape your own destiny," Bush said. "You can bring about a future where your leaders answer to you, where you can freely express your beliefs and where your children can grow up in peace. Many experts once said that that day could never come to Eastern Europe, or Spain or Chile. Those experts were wrong. When the Holy Father came to Cuba and offered God's blessings, he reminded you that you hold your country's future in your hands. And you can carry this refrain in your heart: Su dia ya viene llegando. Your day is coming soon."
The Miami Herald has outstanding coverage of the speech, and the reactions from dissidents, Cuban Americans and others.
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