Bush to Warn Cuba on Plan for Transition

President Bush is planning to issue a stern warning Wednesday that the United States will not accept a political transition in Cuba in which power changes from one Castro brother to another, rather than to the Cuban people.

As described by an official in a background briefing to reporters on Tuesday evening, Mr. Bush’s remarks will amount to the most detailed response — mainly an unbending one — to the political changes that began in Cuba more than a year ago, when Fidel Castro fell ill and handed power to his brother Raúl.

The speech, scheduled to be given at the State Department before invited Cuban dissidents, will introduce the relatives of four Cuban prisoners being held for political crimes. A senior administration official said the president wanted to “put a human face,” on Cuba’s “assault on freedom.”

--> I wish this wasn't just more talk from a lame-duck President. But fortunately and unfortunately, it is. Change comes from within, from the very people who are being oppressed. Politicians and world leaders can do all the talking in the world, but until real change is inspired in the hearts and minds of the Cuban people, nothing will come of all the talking.

(Via NYT)