President Bush Announces a Compact with the People of Cuba and the Second Report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

July 10, 2006 - President Bush announced, "Today I approved the Second Report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba. I also approved a Compact with the People of Cuba, which outlines how the United States will support the Cuban people as they transition from the repressive control of the Castro regime to freedom and a genuine democracy. The report demonstrates that we are actively working for change in Cuba , not simply waiting for change. I call on all our democratic friends and allies around the world to join us in supporting freedom for the Cuban people. I applaud the work of the commission, co-chaired by Secretary Rice and Secretary Gutierrez." The Compact with the People of Cuba is available in English and Spanish.

The President has directed the implementation of the recommendations of the Report.

A number of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Offices and Agencies, including the Office of Global Health Affairs, the Office of Public Health and Science, the Administration on Aging, and the Administration on Children and Families participated in the working group that prepared the Second Report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba.

For more information:

• White House release: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060710-1.html
• Second Report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's statement: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/68764.htm
• Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Guitierrez's statement: http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/July/10_Second_Report_State_Dept_Cuba.htm

Last revised: October 10, 2007