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Mixed Review From White House on Carter Visit to Cuba.

Aired May 15, 2002 - 14:36   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A mixed review from the White House on Jimmy Carter's unprecedented address to the people of Cuba last night. More on that from senior White House correspondent, John King.

And, John, we heard the reaction from Ari Fleischer earlier today. We say it was a mixed review, a bit of a mixed bag. Some good things, some things the White House considers not so good. Good afternoon.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill. It is truth on the surface, let's begin with the fact that the president would have preferred Jimmy Carter not go to Cuba to begin with.

But Mr. Carter wanted to take the trip. The White House was not going to stop him. So as the trip progresses, the White House and the president himself on occasion, complimenting President Carter for raising issues of human rights. For calling on Fidel Castro to endorse democratic reforms, to allow his people freedom to travel, freedom of speech, and other political freedoms in the country.

So, on the one hand the White House says it is good when the former president talks about political reform and the need for it in Cuba. But this administration saying flatly that the White House does not believe what President Carter does. And this is, Mr. Carter believes that in exchange for at least some steps toward human rights and democracy, the United States should reconsider the now more than 40-year-old economic embargo against Cuba.

Mr. Bush will give a speech in Miami and here in Washington on Monday in which he makes clear he is committed not only to keeping that embargo, but strengthening the economic sanctions against the Castro regime. The White House says the president did fully follow what Mr. Carter said last night in his speech, and was not persuaded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president very strongly believes that the trade embargo with Cuba is a very important ongoing part of America's policy. Because trade with Cuba only benefits the repressive government of Cuba. It does not get into the hands of the people.

That's when the experience of the nations that have traded with Cuba and trade with Cuba -- unlike trade with almost any other nation in the world -- it does not help the people of Cuba. And that's the heart of the problem with the trade.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Again, the president will make that message clear in a speech here in Washington, and then again, in Little Havana, Florida, on Monday. Those ceremonies marking pre-Castro Cuban independence day -- Bill.

HEMMER: John, on another front, I'm going to put up this photo again that we've been talking about on and off throughout the afternoon. Taken onboard Air Force 1, September 11th, the president in a conversation there with Dick Cheney, the vice president.

What more to this story today? Is there continued criticism in certain corners, John?

KING: Democrats saying yes, there should be criticism. The Republicans should not at all have September 11th involved in politics in any way. The White House continuing to say it is perfectly appropriate for the Republican Party to raise money based on the president's achievements and his leadership.

The White House also tried to make this distinction: yes, that is an official White House photograph. It was taken by a White House employee who was paid by the taxpayers. But, the White House says, nothing wrong done here because that photo was released to the news media, including us here at CNN. It was sold by the Reuters News Agency, the White House says, to a commercial vendor, who then sold it back to the Republican Party.

So the White House saying no abuse of taxpayer dollars here. Democrats say it's in poor taste. Republicans say perfectly appropriate for the party to be proud of its president -- Bill.

HEMMER: John, thanks. John King on the front lawn.

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