The Congressional Black Caucus headed by
its Chairman; James Clyburn (D-SC) led a delegation to Cuba to investigate
the impact of the U.S. embargo on the Island Nation and its people to see
if a change in U.S. policy regarding food and medicine was necessary. The
delegation was also there to observe the impact of the U.S. Department
of Naturalization and the Justice Department court battle over the Juan
Gonzalez was having on the Cuban people.
The Congressional Black Caucus Delegation
also included Congressmen Gregory Meeks from New York and Benny Thompson
from Mississippi. Rev. Lucius Walker, Executive Director, Interreligious
Foundation for Community Organization, Ellen Bernstein, IFCO and the Caucus's
staff joined the delegation. I.F.C.O. invited the delegation to visit Cuba.
After a five day tour of the Island which
included high level meetings with lawmakers from Committees on International
Relations, Commerce, Agriculture, Public Health and Foreign Trade, the
delegation was summoned by Cuban President, Fidel Castro who greeted the
delegation in his official residency.
After the Congressional Black Caucus was
seated, President Castro entered the chamber with his aides. They sat on
one side of the table facing the CBC's delegation. After the Chairman Clyburn
made formal introductions, Castro got down to the business of U.S. Cuban
policy.
Castro first comments were on the Mothers'
March for the return of Elian to his father and Cuba. 'People were aware
of the march 12 hours before the event and before dawn began to move into
the city. They came from 15 municipalities and neighboring provinces, Castro
pointed out. These women were very enthusiastic and they ran the whole
demonstration. All the speakers were women except an eight-year-old read
his own poem on Elian and then jumped from the dais in judo style. 'I found
him quite articulate.'
Castro explained the demonstration around
the American Interest Section was very orderly and the safest area in the
world with no insults or nasty words. There were no efforts to burn U.S.
flags like they did in Miami.
Responding to Castro on the Elian controversy,
Cong. Clyburn said 'Within forty-eight (48) hours I spoke out forcefully
that the child should be returned immediately. All members of the caucus
joined me and they never wavered since that day.
Chairman Clyburn said the high profile
the Miami relatives made of the case and their defiance of the Attorney
General Reno's rulings and efforts to resolve the matter in favor for Elian's
return, 'Even Miami is now divided over the matter. It has proven that
Miami is not monolithic in its support for Elian to remain in the U.S.
'In fact, 70% of the American people agree that Elian should be returned
with his father to Cuba.
On the question of the embargo against
medicine to Cuba, Cong. Clyburn said 'we visited a children's hospital
(William Soler Pediatric) yesterday (June 1). Every possible effort to
getting the best treatment is being utilized under the present conditions
continued Clyburn. 'Children should not be used for political purposes.
This is the underlying reason why we are here today. We will return and
take up the fight next week,' the Congressman stressed.
Other articles on U.S. Cuban policy, cultural,
educational, Cuban -African American relations will be pursued by the Standard
staff.