US not a threat to Cuban people: Gutierrez

US not a threat to Cuban people: Gutierrez

17 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Commerce Secretary
Carlos Gutierrez said that the United States poses "no threat" to the
people of Cuba and will help them if they choose democracy over
Fidel Castro's hold on power.

"Let me be very clear: The United States and our citizens pose no threat
to the security or the homes of the Cuban people," Gutierrez said in
remarks prepared for delivery at the conservative Cato Institute think tank.

US
President George W. Bush "recognizes that Cuba belongs to the Cuban
people, and that the future of Cuba is in the hands of Cubans,"
Gutierrez said in the speech, which was provided by the US
Commerce Department.

"We continue to be concerned about the importance of the Cuban people
observing safe, orderly and legal plans for migration," said Gutierrez,
who was born in Havana in 1953 and came to the United States in 1960.

His comments were the most detailed reaction yet from Washington on
Castro's decision to temporarily hand power to his brother due to surgery.

"At a time of great uncertainty, we want to let the people of Cuba know
that we affirm our commitment -- when a transition government committed
to democracy is in place, we will provide aid in areas such as food and
medicine, economic recovery, and free and fair elections," he said.

"The people of Cuba have a choice: Economic and political freedom and
opportunity, or more political repression and economic suffering under
the current regime," said Gutierrez.

"We pledge to help them attain political and economic liberty," said the
US official.

Castro, who has been in power since 1959 and turns 80 on August 13,
announced Monday that his brother Raul Castro, the defense minister,
will take over his duties temporarily.

The Cuban leader, in a statement read by his personal secretary on Cuban
media, said he underwent surgery to correct intestinal bleeding, which
he blamed on taxing trips to Argentina and eastern Cuba.

"We pledge to extend a hand of friendship and support as they build a
democratic government, a strong economy and a brighter tomorrow for
their families and their country. And we pledge to discourage third
parties from obstructing the will of the Cuban people," said Gutierrez.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060801/pl_afp/cubacastrousgutierrez_060801185325