Sen. Mel Martinez stance on travel to Cuba softens

Mel softens his stance, good guy = )

Source:
http://martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=a6628754-6332-426d-95eb-2385036bfdc6

April 13, 2009

Statement on Obama Administration Change to Cuba Policy

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today made the following statement in response to President Obama's announcement to ease family travel restrictions to Cuba and relax family-to-family remittances sent to the country.

Martinez said:

"The announcement today is good news for Cuban families separated by the lack of freedom in Cuba. Likewise the change in remittances should provide help to families in need. Given these changes will benefit the regime in Havana, it would be wise in the implementation to place some reasonable limits on this type of travel and the amounts that can be sent to Cuba.

"The President has expressed his commitment to freedom - libertad - for the Cuban people, and policy implementation should advance that objective. To this end, the Administration is right to call on the Cuban government to end the onerous charge of 20 percent on remittances. Lowering remittance charges and allowing travel for Cuban families wishing to see relatives abroad are two steps the Cuban regime could immediately take that would show change in Havana."

compare this statement to just a few weeks ago

March 31, 2009

Statement on Legislation Promoting U.S. Tourist Travel to Cuba

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) issued the following statement today in response to the reintroduction of legislation to promote U.S. tourist travel to Cuba.

"This is the time to support pro-democracy activists in Cuba, not provide the Castro regime with a resource windfall. Changing travel restrictions for U.S. citizens will simply allow Americans to contribute to the resources available to the Castro regime to perpetuate its repression. My fellow senators should be standing in solidarity and showing support for the 11 million Cubans who are suffering under the Cuban regime, instead of making it easier for Americans to vacation in Cuba.

"The behavior of the current Cuba government of Raul Castro continues to underscore its repressive nature. 54 of the 75 peaceful activists arrested in the ‘black spring' crackdown of 2003 remain in prison. Their only ‘crime' was trying to exercise their civil and political rights. Jorge Luis Garcia, ‘Antunez,' has now reached his 43rd day of a hunger strike asking for justice for and an end to the torture of political prisoners as well as for the right of Cubans to publish human rights commitments made to the United Nations by the regime. My fellow senators should be supporting these individuals and all Cubans struggling for basic human rights.

"I continue to oppose this legislation that unilaterally changes our policy toward Cuba but asks the oppressors for nothing in return."