Statement by
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez
At the press conference on release of the
Second Report by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
July 10, 2006

This morning the President released the second report by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba and "A Compact with the People of Cuba." The Compact is a message of hope and reassurance to Cubans that they can count on our concrete aid in areas like humanitarian needs, economic recovery, and free and fair elections.

The people of Cuba have a choice: economic and political freedom and opportunity--or more political repression and economic suffering under the current regime.

The United States stands ready to work with the Cuban people to attain political and economic liberty.

We pledge to help the Cuban people, and a new transition Cuban government, as it moves away from a totalitarian communist dictatorship and toward a free and representative democracy. To support a Cuban transition government we pledge to:

•  Provide emergency food, water, fuel, and medical equipment;

•  Help rebuild Cuba 's shattered economy;

•  Respect the right of the Cuban people to be secure in their homes;

•  Encourage assistance from other countries, associations and private companies; and

•  Discourage third parties from intervening to obstruct the will of the Cuban people.


We will do all this and more provided we are asked by a Cuban transition government that is committed to dismantling all instruments of state repression and implementing internationally respected human rights and fundamental freedoms, including organizing free and fair elections for a democratically elected new Cuban government within a period of no more than 18 months.

The report and its recommendations are intended to support the Compact with the People of Cuba. The Administration of President Bush is committed to accompany Cubans through a transition to political and economic freedom. The people of Cuba have suffered too much and for too long and deserve so much more than what they have today.

Joint Statement by Secretary Gutierrez and Secretary Rice