Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
The United States Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC) was created by United States President George W. Bush on October 10, 2003, to, according to him, explore ways the U.S. can help hasten and ease a democratic transition in Cuba.
Members
The commission was co-chaired by
Commission members include all Cabinet-level agencies. The core agencies responsible for day-to-day operations of the Commission include, the
First report
The commission's first report was released to the public on May 6, 2004. It set out a plan for bringing about change on the island and outlined numerous perceived problem areas and solutions to solve them.
Second report
The commission released a second report in July 2006, which built on the findings of the first report. It also issued the "Compact with the Cuban People," which pledged that the US government would assist a transition government.
Response of Cuban government
Fidel Castro referred to Rice as a "mad" woman and to the US Chief of Mission in Havana, Michael E. Parmly, as a "little gangster" and a "bully." He insisted that in spite of the formation of the commission, Cuba is itself "in transition: to socialism [and] to communism" and that it is "ridiculous for the U.S. to threaten Cuba now."
See also
- Cuba-United States relations
- Opposition to Fidel Castro
- Cuba and democracy