Monday, April 30, 2007
Bush predicts change is near for Cuba
MIAMI: President George W Bush took fresh aim on Saturday at Cuba's
communist government, calling it a "cruel dictatorship" and predicting
that democratic change was near. The US president's comments came amid
signs that Cuban leader Fidel Castro was recovering from an intestinal
ailment that has kept him out of the public eye for the past nine months
and may soon resume some government duties. Bush, who has tightened
economic sanctions on Havana and boosted aid to dissidents with a goal
of hastening the end of Castro's grip on power, said in a commencement
speech at Miami Dade College that many Cubans were dreaming of a better
life. "Unfortunately, those dreams are stifled by a cruel dictatorship
that denies all freedom in the name of a dark and discredited ideology,"
Bush said, noting that many people at the graduation had roots in Cuba,
which is just 90 miles (140 km) from Florida. "Some of you still have
loved ones who live in Cuba and wait for the day when the light of
liberty will shine upon them again," Bush said. "That day is nearing".
Since Fidel Castro, 80, handed over power temporarily to his brother in
July, he has since been seen only in videotaped footage and in
photographs. reuters
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\30\story_30-4-2007_pg4_3