For immediate release: Friday, May 10, 2002

Press contact: Brian Alexander with the Cuba Policy Foundation

Cell (202) 321-CUBA (2822)

CARTER AGENDA IN CUBA SEEKS DIALOGUE, ENGAGEMENT

FORMER PRESIDENT FAVORS OUTREACH OVER ISOLATION

Friday, May 10, 2002, Washington – Contrasting the Bush administration’s position that isolation should form the basis of U.S. policy toward Cuba, former President Carter will emphasize dialogue and engagement. On his trip to Cuba, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter will “explore issues of mutual interest between our citizens and to share ideas on how to improve the relationship between the United States and Cuba,” according to the Atlanta-based Carter Center.

While Carter seeks an opening with Cuba, the Bush administration has said it will, “oppose any attempt to weaken sanctions against Cuba's government until the regime… frees its political prisoners, holds democratic, free elections, and allows for free speech.” Matching actions to words, the Administration is expected soon to announce a review of Cuba policy that will include measures to step-up enforcement of restrictions already in place.

President Carter will meet with Cuban leader Fidel Castro and other members of the Cuban government, U.S. diplomats in Havana, and will tour Cuban schools, medical and agricultural facilities. President Carter also will meet with leading Cuban activists and dissident groups. Adding to the unprecedented quality of the former-President’s visit, Carter will make a live address before a national audience on Cuban television Tuesday night at 6 pm.

Members of the U.S. Congress support Carter’s views on Cuba. The newly formed bipartisan House Cuba Working Group seeks to lift the embargo and also will announce a review of Cuba policy, which is expected to recommend Congressional measures that will ease the embargo. This Cuba Working Group announcement is likely to take place while former president Carter is in Cuba.

Ambassador Sally Grooms Cowal, president of the Cuba Policy Foundation, agrees. “President Carter has the right approach. To emphasize dialogue and engagement is the best means to advance U.S. interests in Cuba and to promote political and economic reform on the island – something the forty year old embargo has utterly failed to achieve,” said Ambassador Cowal.

The American people also support dialogue. According to recent public opinion polls by the Cuba Policy Foundation, two thirds (66.8%) think that Americans should be allowed to travel to Cuba. Over seventy percent agree that the United States should sell food and medicine to Cuba. A 2000 Florida International University poll shows that 80.2% of Americans support a dialogue with the Cuban government.

By opposing the embargo and pressing dialogue rather than isolation, President Carter places embargo supporters in the United States in an awkward position. “Carter’s trip reflects the view of the majority of Americans, which is that engagement and dialogue are the best way to achieve political and economic reform in Cuba,” according to Ambassador Sally Cowal, president of the Cuba Policy Foundation.

For more information, please contact the Cuba Policy Foundation.