Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

US National Security Council examines Cuba situation
07-06-2006

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): US President George W. Bush on Wednesday met with members of the National Security Council to discuss prospects for bringing democracy to communist-ruled Cuba.

"He's being presented a report from the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, the second such report," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters. "The first was produced in 2004."

The content of the paper, drafted under the leadership of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was not made public.

But Snow assured the United States was "not trying to depose Cuba."

"What we're trying to do is provide democracy for Cuba, whenever possible," he said.

The Miami Herald reported last Friday that the report will recommend setting aside 80 million dollars to try to help democratic opposition in Cuba, strengthening a trade embargo against the island, launching a diplomatic campaign against the axis Cuba-Venezuela, and cracking down on executives who do business with Cuba.