Barbara Lee Releases Statement in Response to Administration's Comments on Cuba
For Immediate Release
April 17, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, D.C. – Today in response to Cuban president Raul Castro’s comments, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the Obama administration views current U.S. policy toward Cuba as "having failed." Secretary Clinton added that the Administration “welcomed the overture” by Raul Castro and is “considering its response.” In response to this news, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement reinforcing comments made to the congressional delegation that traveled in early April to assess the potential for dialogue between the United States and Cuba.
“On Thursday at the Bolivarian Summit Alternative for the Americas, Cuban president Raul Castro repeated what he indicated to our delegation in early April; that Cuba is willing to discuss all issues, including human rights, freedom of the press, and political prisoners. His comments were identical to those made to our delegation, and what we conveyed to the Obama Administration after returning from Havana.
"As members of Congress it is our role to provide input into foreign policy. Dialogue and mutual respect should frame our future discussions with Cuba."
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