Rice Delivers U.S. Message Straight to Cuba

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2006 — -- Just days after Cuban dictator Fidel Castro required emergency surgery to treat severe internal bleeding, the Bush administration seized the opportunity to send a message directly to the Cuban people.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice tonight broadcast a message to the communist island, calling on it to pursue democracy and promising American support in doing so.

"All Cubans who desire peaceful democratic change can count on the support of the United States," she said. "We encourage the Cuban people to work at home for positive change, and we stand ready to provide you with humanitarian assistance, as you begin to chart a new course for your country."

The statement does not reflect any change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, and its contents mirror recent statements by President Bush and the State Department.

What is significant, however, is the way this message is being delivered. According to experts, this is the first time a high-level U.S. official has broadcast such a message directly to the Cuban people.

The message was broadcast on TV Martí and Radio Martí, both U.S. government-sponsored stations that transmit pro-democracy and anti-Castro messages to the isolated country.

The stations' signals are frequently jammed by the Cuban government, and it is unclear exactly how many Cubans will actually see or hear Rice's message. Because of this, many suspect that the message is intended more for the large Cuban exile community in South Florida.

On Monday the Cuban government announced that Fidel Castro would temporarily cede power to his brother, Raul, for the duration of his recovery. The announcement ignited wide speculation as to the the Cuban president's health and presented a unique situation. It is the first time that Fidel Castro has not been at the helm of Cuba's government since he took power in 1959.

Neither Fidel Castro nor his brother has been seen since the news of Castro's illness broke on Monday, fueling speculation that he has died.