.White House urges Cubans and exiles to stay put
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday urged Cubans on the communist-ruled island and exiles living in south Florida not to begin a mass migration spurred by Cuban leader Fidel Castro's health problems.
U.S. officials have long anticipated that Castro's death could prompt a chaotic exodus from Miami of Cuban exiles crossing the narrow Straits of Florida to visit or pick up relatives in their homeland. There have been no signs of such movement in recent days.
White House spokesman Tony Snow called Cuba a "closed society," saying that made it difficult to assess the situation since Castro fell ill and temporarily transferred power to his brother Raul earlier this week.
"It's also, however, important at this juncture to tell people stay where you are. This is not a time for people to try to be getting in the water and going either way," Snow told reporters.
"We've talked about the importance of eventually finding an orderly and safe way for people to try to make transit between the two places," he added.
The departure of Castro from power has long been a goal of U.S. policy, but the administration has been cautious since word of the 79-year-old leader's illness surfaced on Monday.
Snow asserted, however, that Bush "from the very beginning has stressed the importance of a free and democratic Cuba in the post-Castro era."
Castro handed over power to his 75-year-old defense minister brother after surgery to halt stomach bleeding.
As speculation swirled that his rule might be nearing an end, state-run newspaper Granma published a message from Castro on Wednesday saying details of his health were secret but that he was stable and in good spirits.
Reuters
Sit,...Sit... Stay, goooood boy, that's a good boy, here have a littel treat.
Can anyone say lap dog!. Oh no sorry exuse me I meant Lincoln Diaz-Ballard.
U.S. officials have long anticipated that Castro's death could prompt a chaotic exodus from Miami of Cuban exiles crossing the narrow Straits of Florida to visit or pick up relatives in their homeland. There have been no signs of such movement in recent days.
White House spokesman Tony Snow called Cuba a "closed society," saying that made it difficult to assess the situation since Castro fell ill and temporarily transferred power to his brother Raul earlier this week.
"It's also, however, important at this juncture to tell people stay where you are. This is not a time for people to try to be getting in the water and going either way," Snow told reporters.
"We've talked about the importance of eventually finding an orderly and safe way for people to try to make transit between the two places," he added.
The departure of Castro from power has long been a goal of U.S. policy, but the administration has been cautious since word of the 79-year-old leader's illness surfaced on Monday.
Snow asserted, however, that Bush "from the very beginning has stressed the importance of a free and democratic Cuba in the post-Castro era."
Castro handed over power to his 75-year-old defense minister brother after surgery to halt stomach bleeding.
As speculation swirled that his rule might be nearing an end, state-run newspaper Granma published a message from Castro on Wednesday saying details of his health were secret but that he was stable and in good spirits.
Reuters
Sit,...Sit... Stay, goooood boy, that's a good boy, here have a littel treat.
Can anyone say lap dog!. Oh no sorry exuse me I meant Lincoln Diaz-Ballard.
posted by madtom at 12:45 AM
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