Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

President Bush Hardening Policy Towards Cuba

Aired May 13, 2002 - 06:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: While Jimmy Carter is reaching out to Cuba this week, President Bush is hardening his policy towards the Communist regime. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace looks at Mr. Bush's strategy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While former President Carter begins a journey he hopes will ease tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, back in Washington, President Bush is planning next week to unveil a tougher strategy to deal with Fidel Castro. The White House has made one move already, publicly accusing Castro of developing biological weapons, a charge Havana stronger rejects, but one Secretary of State Colin Powell repeated in an interview with Russian Television.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We know that Cuba has been doing some research with respect to biological offensive weapons possibly, and so we think it is appropriate for us to point out this kind of activity.

WALLACE: Mr. Bush has made it clear he believes that easing decades' old trade and travel restrictions on Cuba would only help Fidel Castro stay in power. The president ordered a full review of U.S. policy, which aides say is nearly done. Possible actions Mr. Bush could take include tightening even more travel restrictions to the island, increasing aid to Cuban dissidents and stepping up broadcasts of U.S. government information to the Cuban people, moves that would please Cuban-American lawmakers, important allies in the crucial battleground state of Florida.

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R), FLORIDA: And for people to think that when you travel to Cuba that you are bringing the Cuban people closer to democracy, that's like believing in Santa Claus and in the Easter Bunny. Castro is never going to change.

WALLACE: On the other side, lawmakers who agree that Castro needs to go, but believe it's time to end the economic sanctions.

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: We have tried the embargo, and that doesn't seem to work. That really has punished U.S. workers and producers by cutting off our markets and allowing them to be filled by the Canadians, the Europeans and others. WALLACE (on camera): U.S. officials say the president's announcement next week on Cuba was scheduled before former President Carter's trip. Still, it will be a chance for Mr. Bush to answer any calls to ease sanctions and appease those Cuban-Americans who feel this administration so far has not put enough pressure on Castro.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.