Bush urges 'democratic transition' in Cuba

Fidel Castro’s resignation “should be the beginning of the democratic transition in Cuba”, US President George Bush said today.

Mr Bush said political prisoners, who he said were being allowed to “rot in prison”, should be freed in the first step of the transition.

The President also encouraged the international community to help build institutions “that are necessary for democracy” and added: “The United States will help the people of Cuba realise the blessings of liberty.”

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kigali, Rwanda, Mr Bush said: “What does this mean for the people in Cuba?

“They’re the ones who suffered under Fidel Castro. They’re the ones who were put in prison because of their beliefs. They’re the ones who have been denied their right to live in a free society.

“So I view this as a period of transition, and it should be the beginning of the democratic transition in Cuba.”

Mr Bush said that some people would encourage stability, but added: “In the meantime, political prisoners will rot in prison and the human condition will remain pathetic in many cases.”

He said he had met the families of some of the prisoners, and that their release should be the first step of any transition to democracy.

“It just breaks your heart to realise that people have been thrown in prisons because they dare speak out.

“The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy.

“Eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections – and I mean free, and I mean fair – not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as true democracy.

“The United States will help the people of Cuba realise the blessings of liberty.”

The news came too late for most of the US newspapers.