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CNN Live At Daybreak

Carter Calls for Lifting of Ban on Cuba, More Democracy for Cubans

Aired May 15, 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: Jimmy Carter revealed his vision of the future of U.S.-Cuban relations to a national TV address to the Cuban people. The former president says he sees a democratic Cuba and freedom of travel between the two nations.

CNN Havana bureau chief Lucia Newman has more on Carter's speech.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): It was an extraordinary moment, not just because of what Jimmy Carter had to say, but because of how and where he said it. With President Fidel Castro sitting in the front row, Carter addressed the Cuban people in Spanish, his words broadcast live all over Cuba. He has come, he said, as a friend to share his vision of the future.

JIMMY CARTER, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (through translator): The time has come to change our relations and the way we think and speak to each other. Since the United States is the most powerful country, we should take this first step.

NEWMAN: While he said he hoped the U.S. Congress would soon revoke the U.S. trade embargo and the travel ban on Americans going to Cuba, he also insisted Cuba needed to take major steps to become a true democracy.

CARTER: I am not using the American definition of democracy, but rather the definition consecrated by the universal declaration of human rights, which Cuba signed in 1948. All citizens are born with the right to choose their own leaders, define their own destinies, speak freely, organize political parties, unions and non-government organizations.

NEWMAN: Carter urged Cuba to allow an opposition petition for sweeping political reforms to go forward, an initiative most Cubans hadn't even heard of until Jimmy Carter's speech.

LAZARO GONZALES, GRAPHIC TECHNICIAN: I am in agreement with what the comrade former president of the United States has to say. Hopefully, his words will be heard here.

NEWMAN: If President Castro didn't like what he heard, he didn't let it show. Both men were applauded as they left the University of Havana to go to a baseball game. Carter was allowed to throw the first pitch, while Castro coached him on his technique.

(on camera): So far, the Cuban leader is making good on his promise not to take offense with anything Carter has to say, but then there is a big difference between taking offense and taking advice.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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