The U.S. Should Pledge to Refrain from Interference in Cuba's Internal Affairs, and Allow U.S. Citizens to Engage Cooperatively with Cuba

For the first time in 47 years, Cuba is undergoing a transfer of political power, as Fidel Castro has temporarily turned the reins of government over to his brother, Raul and other leaders of the Government. No one knows whether Fidel Castro will recuperate from his illness and return to office, or whether Raul Castro and his leadership team will continue in power.

But we do know this: the future of Cuba should only be decided by the Cuban people themselves-those living in Cuba, without interference by the United States or others.

The Bush Administration has set criteria for what an acceptable post-Fidel Castro government in Cuba should look like, and has committed funds to encourage a transition to such a government in Cuba. This is wrong. The United States should not interfere in any way in Cuban internal affairs. Not only is it improper for the United States to take actions that interfere with Cuba's sovereignty, but these actions are likely to be counter-productive.

In the past, groups within the hard-line Cuban-American community have taken provocative and belligerent actions to destabilize the political situation in Cuba. U.S. authorities should take every appropriate step to prevent these groups from launching any hostile or provocative actions from U.S. soil.

At a time when events are unfolding in Cuba, we are missing an incredible opportunity for Americans to engage directly with Cubans. Under current policy, U.S. citizens have very little contact with people and institutions on the island. Cuban Americans have nearly lost all access to their own family members on the island. Student study-abroad programs have been all but eliminated. Visits to the United States by Cuban cultural groups and academics have been sharply curtailed. And new restrictions have reduced contact between religious groups in Cuba and their counterparts in the United States. To understand and relate to developments in Cuba, the administration should permit U.S. citizens to engage with Cuba, through travel and trade, rather than continuing a failed policy of isolation.

ACTION: Please Call the White House Comment Line TODAY (202.456.1111) with the following message:

Our government shouldn't interfere in events in Cuba. Instead, we should let U.S. citizens travel, trade, and interact with the Cuban people. I urge the administration to make a public statement that the United States will not interfere in Cuba's internal political process. I urge the administration to allow U.S. citizens to exercise their right to travel to Cuba and trade with Cuba.

ACTION: Please Write a Letter to the Editor of your Local Newspaper

Here is a sample you may use for starters, but putting it in your own words based on your own experience is best. Remember, every letter counts. They don't have to be perfect. They just have to be written and mailed.

Your name
Your address (they will only print your city and state, but want your full address)
Your telephone number

Letters Editor
Your local paper and address
Date

Dear Editor:

At a time when events are unfolding in Cuba [refer to a current story your paper has written on this topic, if there has been one], it is especially unfortunate that U.S. citizens have so little contact with people and institutions on the island. Contact between Cuban Americans and their family members on the island has been sharply reduced. University study abroad programs have been all but eliminated. Visits to the United States by Cuban cultural groups and academics have been sharply curtailed. And new restrictions have reduced contact between religious groups in Cuba and their counterparts in the United States. To understand and relate to developments in Cuba, the Bush Administration should permit U.S. citizen to engage with Cuba, through travel and trade, rather than continuing a failed policy of isolation.

As someone who has had the privilege of traveling to Cuba through XXXXX [OR, As someone interested in U.S.-Cuba relations], I urge the Bush Administration to refrain from taking any measures that are intended to interfere in Cuban internal affairs.

In the past, groups within the hard-line Cuban-American community have taken provocative actions designed to destabilize the political situation in Cuba. U.S. authorities should take every appropriate step to prevent these groups from launching any hostile or provocative actions from U.S. soil.

The future of Cuba should be decided by the Cuban people themselves-those living in Cuba, without interference from the United States or others.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

ACTION: Please Call-in to Radio Talk Shows to Bring up the Issue of Cuba

Check your local listings for opportunities.

Now is the time for all of us to work together to make our voices heard in Washington to ensure that the Bush Administration respects Cuba's sovereignty and international law, and promotes peace by refraining from interference in Cuba's internal political process.

Sincerely,

Mavis Anderson and Claire Rodriguez, Latin America Working Group (LAWG)
Gary Cozette and Marilyn McKenna, Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
Delvis Fernandez Levy, Cuban-American Alliance Education Fund (CAAEF)
Alvaro Fernandez, Cuban American Commission for Family Rights
John McAuliff, Fund for Reconciliation and Development
Ruben Rumbaut, Emergency Network of Cuban American Scholars and Artists for Change in U.S.-Cuba Policy (ENCASA)
Wayne Smith, Center for International Policy (CIP)
Melinda St. Louis, Marty Hooper, Erik Cooke, and Patrick Leet, Witness for Peace
Sarah Stephens, Freedom to Travel Campaign
Geoff Thale and Elsa Falkenburger, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Silvia Wilhelm, Puentes Cubanos