Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba Welcomes Public Input for Working Groups

The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, established by President Bush on October 10, 2003, and chaired by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, welcomes public input to assist in identifying and encouraging measures to help the Cuban people to bring and end to the dictatorship, and develop a plan for agile and decisive assistance to a post-dictatorship Cuba.

The core agencies responsible for day-to-day operations of the Commission include, the State Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.  Secretary Powell designated Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger F. Noriega to direct day-to-day Commission activities. Five working groups, consisting of agencies with relevant authority and expertise, are in place to develop recommendations to the President. They will look at ways to hasten the transition to democracy, and how the United States can assist the Cuban people establish democratic institutions, respect for human rights and the rule of law; create the core institutions of a free economy; modernize infrastructure; and meet basic health, housing, education, and human service needs. The Commission will submit its initial report to the President by May 1, 2004.

A website containing information about the Commission is located at http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/c10991.htm. Submissions may be sent via e-mail to cubacommission@state.gov or by regular mail to the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, WHA/CCA, Room 3234, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.