Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba released its second report on July 10, 2006. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reconvened the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba on December 19, 2005, sending an important message to the people of Cuba, the current dictatorship, and our friends and democratic allies: after 46 years of cruel dictatorship, now is the time for change in Cuba.

The Commission was reconvened to identify additional measures to help Cubans hasten the day when they will be free from oppression and to develop a concise but flexible strategic plan that will help the Cuban people move rapidly toward free and fair democratic elections. The Commission was tasked with preparation of a second report to the President with both updated recommendations to hasten democracy, and an inter-agency strategic plan to assist a Cuban-led transition.

This plan is not an imposition but rather is a promise we will keep with the Cuban people to marshal our resources and expertise, and encourage our democratic allies to be ready to support Cuba when the inevitable opportunity for genuine change arises. The work of the Commission will ensure that the U.S. Government is fully prepared, if asked, to assist a genuine Cuban transition government committed to democracy and which will lead to Cuba's reintegration into the inter-American system.

The formation of this Commission and release of this report underscore the Administration's continuing commitment to the Cuban people as well as its unwavering support for human rights, democracy, and the open market system. This will define and accelerate U.S. efforts to hasten a transition to democracy and create a framework for providing assistance to a newly democratic Cuba.