Ros-Lehtinen Demands That The Administration Answer To The Victims Of Castro's Regime

IleanaRosLehtinen

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-lehtinen: 'We feel betrayed' by Obama

Miami Herald

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Obama-Castro Handshake WAS PLANNED

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Marco Rubio and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Slam Obama For Castro Handshake

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Fox News predicted that President Obama's handshake with Raul Castro "could rile Cuban-American lawmakers," and Marco Rubio and Ilean Ros-Lehtinen have sure enough delivered.

According to the Hill, Rubio isn't so much angry that the handshake took place, but rather that Obama didn't take the opportunity to lecture Castro.

"If the president was going to shake his hand, he should have asked him about those basic freedoms Mandela was associated with that are denied in Cuba," Rubio said. "It remains clear that Cuba is the same totalitarian state today that it has been for decades. This totalitarian state continues to have close ties to terrorist organizations."

The White House says that the handshake was a brief, unplanned encounter, and was in the peaceful spirit of Nelson Mandala's memorial service.

Obama may not have taken the opportunity to speak to Castro directly, but that may be because he was on his way to give a speech in which he sent a direct message to Castro and his ilk.

"There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba's legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality," he said in his speech. "There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba's struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people."

Rep. Ilean Ros-Lehtinen was less measured in her response. She called it "nauseating."

"Sometimes a handshake is just a handshake, but when the leader of the free world shakes the bloody hand of a ruthless dictator like Raul Castro, it becomes a propaganda coup for the tyrant," she told Fox News.

Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez has noted that the handshake was not shown on Cuban television. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen also seems to forget that a big part of Cuban propaganda is getting Cubans to think that its the imperialist hand of any U.S. President that is actually bloodied. We doubt the Castro regime wants to make more of the handshake then what it was.

Capitol Hill: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on Obama-Raul Castro handshake

Video from Lord Rothschild

Transcript from  Democracy Now!

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: We turn now to the historic moment Tuesday when President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raúl Castro as both men participated in the memorial service for anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The White House said the handshake was unscripted. It marked the first time a U.S. president has shaken hands with a Cuban leader since 2000. In Washington, Republicans expressed outrage over the exchange. During a hearing in the House, Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida sparred with Secretary of State John Kerry, who said it did not represent any change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN: Mr. Secretary, sometimes a handshake is just a handshake. But when the leader of the free world shakes the bloody hand of a ruthless dictator like Raúl Castro, it becomes a propaganda coup for the tyrant. Raúl Castro uses that hand to sign the orders to repress and jail democracy advocates. In fact, right now, as we speak, Cuban opposition leaders are being detained, and they’re being beaten while trying to commemorate today, which is International Human Rights Day. They will feel disheartened when they see these photos. Could you please tell the Cuban people living under that repressive regime that a handshake nonwithstanding, the U.S. policy toward the cruel and sadistic Cuban dictatorship has not weakened? Thank you.

SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY: Ladies and gentlemen, today is about honoring Nelson Mandela. And the president is at an international funeral with leaders from all over the world. He didn’t choose who’s there. They’re there to honor Mandela. And we appreciate that people from all over the world and from all different beliefs and walks of life who appreciated Nelson Mandela and/or were friends of his came to honor him. And I think, as the president said—I urge you to go read his speech, or if you didn’t see it or haven’t read it, because the president said in his speech today honoring Nelson Mandela, he said, "We urge leaders to honor Mandela’s struggle for freedom by upholding the basic human rights of their people"—

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN: And would you say Raúl Castro is upholding their basic human rights?

SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY: No, absolutely not.

Cuban-American lawmakers dismayed over Obama handshake with 'thug' Castro

Fox News

Cuban-American lawmakers voiced disappointment Tuesday over President Obama shaking the hand of Raul Castro during the memorial service for Nelson Mandela, calling it a "propaganda coup" for the Cuban government. 

"It is nauseating," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., who fled Cuba with her family when she was a child, told Fox News. 

Speaking later at a hearing with Secretary of State John Kerry, the congresswoman held up photos of the handshake and said political dissidents would be "disheartened" by them. 

"Sometimes a handshake is just a handshake, but when the leader of the free world shakes the bloody hand of a ruthless dictator like Raul Castro, it becomes a propaganda coup for the tyrant," she said. 

Distrust of the Castro government runs deep in the Cuban-American community, particularly in Florida where many refugees still live. 

Obama's brief encounter with Castro, though -- unlike the historic phone call earlier this year between Obama and Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani -- was described as spontaneous. 

An administration official said "this wasn't a pre-planned encounter," adding: "Above all else, today is about honoring Nelson Mandela, and that was the president's singular focus at the memorial service." 

At the hearing on Tuesday, Kerry said Obama "didn't choose who's" at the Mandela ceremony. Asked by Ros-Lehtinen if Castro is upholding basic human rights, Kerry answered: "No. Absolutely not." 

Obama shook Castro's hand as he made his way down a line of dignitaries, including South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, on his way to deliver an address honoring the late South African leader. 

In the speech in Johannesburg, Obama praised Mandela as the "last great liberator of the 20th century." 

"He changed laws, but he also changed hearts," Obama said. 

Ros-Lehtinen said afterward that Castro should have listened to Obama's message about how some leaders praise Mandela without respecting human rights. "I think that was a message to Raul Castro," she said, calling him a "thug." 

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also released a statement saying: "If the president was going to shake his hand, he should have asked him about those basic freedoms Mandela was associated with that are denied in Cuba." 

The handshake came amid a memorial service that lauded Mandela's spirit of reconciliation. It's unclear whether more will come of the gesture, as efforts by the Obama administration to thaw relations between Cuba and the U.S. have been slow-going. 

The U.S. government in 2011 eased the embargo on the island by allowing some Americans to travel there. But the U.S. freeze on Cuba, dating back to when Fidel Castro took power, largely has remained in place - and Cuba's human rights record, particularly its intolerance of political dissent, continues to draw the scorn of rights groups and western governments.

Questions About Mariela Castro's Trip

Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, accompanied by Malcolm Lazin, left, executive director of the Equality Forum, speaks to members of the media in view of Independence Hall Friday, May 3, 2013, in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke / AP Photo

capitolhillcubans

The following inquiry has been sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry by U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL):

According to Presidential Proclamation 5377, Section 1:

Entry of the following classes of Cuban nationals as nonimmigrants is hereby suspended: (a) officers or employees of the Government of Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba holding diplomatic or official passports; and (b) individuals who, notwithstanding the type of passport that they hold, are considered by the Secretary of State or his designee to be officers or employees of the Government of Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba.

In addition to granting the visa, reports indicate that the State Department reversed its previous position by allowing Mariela Castro to travel outside the 25-mile radius from New York to attend a conference in Philadelphia.

Accordingly, we request that you answer the following questions:

Why is the State Department ignoring current U.S. law by continuing to provide visas to Cuban Communist Party operatives such as Mariela Castro?

Given the fact that the United States must approve any travel outside of the 25-mile radius in New York for Cuban operatives, what is the justification for granting Mariela Castro such permission?

Has reciprocity been provided to U.S. Interests Section personnel to travel outside of Havana, Cuba?

Granting U.S. entry to this high-level individual from the Castro regime on two separate occasions undermines key foreign policy objectives, disregards Congressional intent, and rewards a top operative of the repressive Castro dictatorship.

Beyonce, Jay-Z Cuba trip questioned by two members of Congress

POLITICO.com

AP

By CAITLIN MCDEVITT 

Two members of Congress from Florida are looking into how hip hop royals Beyonce and Jay-Z ended in Cuba this week.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart sent a letter to Adam Szubin, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, on Friday asking for more information about the celebrity couple’s trip, which coincided with their fifth wedding anniversary.

An excerpt from the letter, which is posted on Ros-Lehtinen’s website, reads:

We write to express concern and to request information regarding the highly publicized trip by U.S. musicians Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Beyoncé) and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) to Cuba. We would like to respectfully request, within all applicable rules and guidelines, information regarding the type of license that Beyoncé and Jay-Z received, for what purpose, and who approved such travel.
As you know, U.S. law expressly prohibits the licensing of financial transactions for “tourist activities” in Cuba (Section 910(b)(1) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act).

A rep for the stars didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Reaffirms The Regime’s Long Standing Threat to U.S. National Security Interests, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Cubaconfidential

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"I am relieved that the State Department spokesman stated today that it is not true that Cuba is being considered to be taken off the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. The Castro brothers align themselves with the likes of Ahmadinejad of Iran, al-Assad of Syria, Qaddafi of Libya before his death, along with terrorist groups, such as the FARC and the ETA. Just this week, Ali Saeedlou, Vice-President for International Affairs for fellow State Sponsor of Terrorism Iran, is in Cuba visiting the Castro brothers to expand its collaboration between these pariah states.

No one can ignore the well documented threats of the Cuban Intelligence Service (CIS). CIS has a longstanding record of expanding their active espionage operation against the U.S. The WASP network was an example of Cuban spies sent to the U.S. to harm our interests and kill American citizens. The Cuban Five were convicted of trying to penetrate U.S. military installations and the Ana Belen Montes case reaffirmed the intention of the Castro regime to compromise U.S. national security operations and activities. Montes also provided highly classified information to the Cuban regime which is believed to have caused the death of U.S. servicemen operating in Latin America. The Cuban regime also harbors fugitives of the U.S. justice system, including cop killers, and continues to provide support for Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

It is important to keep Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism because the secretive and dangerous regime conspires with extremist elements around the world and, due to its proximity to the US, poses a threat to our national security.”

Cuba: Ladies in White Nominated for Nobel Prize

capitolhillcubans

Led by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), a bipartisan group of members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to the Nobel Committee nominating Cuba’s Ladies in White for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

In addition to Ros-Lehtinen, the cosigners of the letter are:

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Joe Garcia (D-Fla.), Trey Radel (R-Fla.), Dennis Ross (R-Fla.), and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), and Jared Polis (D-Col.).

Here's a copy of the letter:

February 1, 2013

His Excellency, Thorbjorn Jagland
Chairman
Nobel Peace Prize Committee
Henrik Ibsens Gate 51
0255 Oslo
Norway

Dear Chairman Jagland and the Nobel Peace Prize Committee:

As Members of the United States Congress, we nominate the Ladies in White to receive the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. These brave women come together every Sunday dressed in their signature all white garments carrying a symbolic gladiolus flower as they walk to attend Catholic mass to pray for the release of their loved ones. In response to these peaceful demonstrations, the Castro regime has employed its thugs to viciously harass, intimidate, and imprison the Ladies in White to disrupt their weekly walks.

The Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco) are a leading Cuba based pro-democracy group that was formed by the wives, mothers, sister and aunts of Cuban political prisoners to advance their cause in the call for freedom and human rights. By serving as non-violent and outspoken activists against the Cuban dictatorship, one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, they have struggled against everyday tyranny and dedicated themselves to political reform.

A leading founder of this movement, Laura Pollan became ill after enduring another beating at the hands of Cuban State Security and died in October 2011. She was an active critic of the Castro dictatorship after her husband was arrested in March 2003 with 75 other independent journalists and dissidents, during what is now referred to as the Black Spring. Since that time, the Ladies in White have projected a peaceful message of change and brought international attention to the plight of prisoners of conscience in Cuba. In 2005, the Ladies in White were even awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European parliament for their work, but the group was unable to accept the award because they were not granted authorization by the Castro regime to travel to France to accept it.

In the last year, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of arbitrary arrests, beatings, and abuse of peaceful dissident groups by the Cuban regime. In fact, just last week, over 35 members of the Ladies in White were beaten, threatened, and temporarily arrested while on their way to mass by Castro’s security forces. These abuses and restrictions of basic freedoms and rights are a commonplace occurrence in Cuba. Ms. Pollan understood this and even after her husband was released she continued the struggle for freedom stating, “I started fighting for my husband, then for the group, and now it’s for changes for the better of the country.” These words underscore that there will never be real change and freedom on the island until there is a political change from the current communist regime.

To this day, millions of Cubans continue to live under the oppressive Castro dictatorship. Freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and due process of law continue to be forbidden by the communist regime. The courageous members of the Ladies in White understand this denial and have dedicated their lives to promote change through non-violent social action and resistance. They may not have started out as activists, but through their fearless efforts they have become the voices of a generation that will no longer tolerate the cruelty and violence of the Castro regime.

Their achievements have not gone unnoticed. Amnesty International has commented that, “Cuban authorities must stop repressing legitimate dissent and harassing those who are only asking for justice and exercising their freedom of expression.” In similar support, Freedom House noted that “the group helped raise awareness and expand the movement beyond the capital of Havana and was instrumental in the release of the political prisoners.”

By awarding these activists the Nobel Peace Prize, the international community has the opportunity to bring worldwide attention to the plight of the Cuban people and promote the fundamental freedoms that have been denied to the citizens on the island for so long. It is our moral obligation to join the voices of those who are suffering under oppression and help them achieve freedom.

US politicians call for Antunez's Release

From Capitol Hill Cubans
Menendez Calls For Visa Ban and Investigation of Antunez's Arrest 
Rubio Calls for Antunez's Release 
Mack Calls for Antunez's Release 
Ros-Lehtinen Calls for Antunez's Release 
Rivera Calls for Antunez's Release 
Chairman Kerry Statement on Antunez's Arrest 

U.S. move on Castro angers many

Amenaza de Cuba a EE.UU. es real [Audiencia en el Congreso]

Voz de América/

Congresista Connie Mack

Estados Unidos sigue siendo el “enemigo número uno” para el gobierno de Cuba y las actividades de espionaje de los agentes de la isla  son una “amenaza presente” para la seguridad estadounidense, según el congresista Connie Mack, presidente del subcomité de Asuntos Hemisféricos de la Cámara de Representantes.

Las declaraciones de Mack fueron hechas durante una audiencia este jueves del subcomité en Washington con el objetivo de explorar los esfuerzos del régimen de La Habana para minar los intereses y la seguridad de EE.UU. mediante el terrorismo, las redes de inteligencia y la guerra cibernética.

La presidenta del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores de la Cámara, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, críticó la “política de puertas abiertas” del presidente Barack Obama con Cuba, “un estado patrocinador del terrorismo a sólo 90 millas de nuestras costas”, dijo.

Ros-Lehtinnen señaló que agentes de La Habana siguen tratando de desestabilizar a EE.UU. y sus aliados en el hemisferio, y censuró que el Departamento de Estado haya concedido visa para entrar al país a altos funcionarios del régimen cubano, entre ellos la hija del gobernante Raúl Castro, Mariela Castro, que la semana entrante viajará a California.

Mack calificó de “increíble” que se la haya concedido visa a la hija de Castro, y recordó cómo los servicios de inteligencia cubanos actuaron para malograr las investigaciones llevadas acabo por EE.UU en torno a los ataques terroristas del 11 de septiembre de 2001.

Durante la audiencia salieron a relucir los casos de los cinco espías cubanos de la red Avispa, condenados a penas de cárcel en 2001 por tratar de penetrar bases militares de EE.UU. y estar involucrados en el derribo de dos avionetas civiles en 1996 sobre aguas internacionales del estrecho de la Florida en las que murieron 4 civiles cubanoamericanos.

También fue mencionado el caso de Ana Belén Montes, una analista de la Agencia de Inteligencia de Defensa de EE.UU que en 2001 se declaró culpable de espiar para Cuba, en un caso que según Michelle Van Cleave, experta en contrainteligencia que testificó en la audiencia, "comprometió” mucha información para EE.UU.

Al igual que Cleave, otros de los expertos en contrainteligencia que prestó testimonio ante los congresistas, Christopher Simmons, coincidió en señalar que los servicios de espionaje de la isla siguen siendo “una amenaza” para EE.UU. porque tienen “alcance global” y facilitan información a otros gobiernos enemigos de Washington.

Simmons dijo que el gobierno cubano trafica con la información de inteligencia y obtiene cientos de millones de dólares por ese concepto. El experto puso de relieve además que la isla mantiene estrechas relaciones con grupos terroristas, entre ellos Hezbolá, y las guerrillas colombianas de las FARC y el ELN.

De acuerdo con Simmons, las comunicaciones de la Casa Blanca y todos los satélites de comunicaciones estadounidenses son objetivos prioritarios para los servicios de espionaje cubanos, que además, dijo, tienen como misiones de primer orden interferir en las operaciones de EE..UU en Afganistán y en la guerra global contra el terrorismo.

Ros-Lehtinen: State Violates Agreement on Regime Visas

Capitol Hill Cubans/

State Department’s Apparent Open Door Policy For Senior Cuban Regime Officials & Activists ‘Dangerous’, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Concerned Department is Seeking to Hide Such Travel from Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement today on the Department of State’s role in facilitating potential travel to the United States by Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela Castro, and the State Department’s refusal to honor a long standing agreement with Ros-Lehtinen and the Committee on Foreign Affairs concerning travel of Cuban regime officials.

“I am greatly concerned by reports that the State Department has granted a visa to dictator Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela Castro, to attend an event in the United States next week. Mariela Castro is a communist regime sympathizer who has labeled Cuban dissidents as ‘parasites.’ Reports that Eusebio Leal, tasked by the regime to expand tourism to the island under the guise of serving as historian of Havana, is also being granted a visa to travel to the U.S. also raises alarm. If confirmed, Castro’s and Leal’s travel would be the most recent in a disturbing pattern that is developing where the doors of the U.S. are opened to officials and activists of this state-sponsor of terrorism.

Why the State Department would issue a visa to Mariela Castro or Eusebio Leal to come to the U.S. and spew the Castro propaganda is beyond comprehension. Not only has the Castro dictatorship trampled on the human rights of its people, Cuba is a State Sponsor of Terrorism with an active and well-documented espionage network operating in and against the U.S. Granting travel and access to the U.S. by high-level regime officials is dangerous and counterproductive to our foreign policy and national security interests.

And now, we are faced with the possibility that State may seek to thwart Congressional oversight over decisions regarding travel by Cuban regime officials. It is my hope the Department will continue to honor a long-standing agreement with me on behalf of the House Foreign Affairs Committee requiring notification of State actions concerning travel by Cuban regime officials. This agreement established in 1997 was adopted in lieu of a legislative mandate I had included in funding legislation and was honored by successive Administrations.

I urge the Department of State to reject these visa requests by regime operatives Mariela Castro and Eusebio Leal and abide by its commitments to cooperate with our Foreign Affairs Committee as we seek to exercise due diligence and oversight.”

Ros-Lehtinen criticó la "complacencia" de Obama con el regimen cubano

Miami (EE.UU.), 30 ene (EFE).- La congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen criticó hoy la "complacencia" del presidente de EE.UU., Barack Obama, con la perforación petrolífera que realizará la española Repsol YPF en aguas de Cuba, e insistió en pedir que se le nieguen los visados a quienes ayuden al régimen cubano en este sentido.

"El presidente Obama ha fallado miserablemente al no usar todos los medios a su alcance para evitar que Repsol perforara (en aguas cubanas), y ahora tenemos que lidiar con el resultado de esta complacencia", señaló la congresista cubanoestadounidense.

La también presidenta del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU. arremetió así contra Obama en una audiencia ante el Subcomité de la Guardia Costera y Transporte Marítimo del Congreso estadounidense, que se celebró en Miami (Florida) y en la que también participaron miembros del Gobierno estadounidense y expertos en la materia.

La republicana Ros-Lehtinen explicó que, pese a que ya no se puede impedir que la compañía perfore, sí se puede "presionar a aquellas empresas y países que buscan" ser las siguientes en las exploraciones petrolíferas en aguas de Cuba, "un Estado que patrocina el terrorismo".

"Las preocupaciones van más allá de Repsol", precisó la legisladora, quien indicó que existen indicios de que la malasia Petronas, en cooperación con la estatal rusa Gazprom, "será la próxima en perforar en aguas cubanas".

Se trata, aseguró, de las "mismas compañías que ayudaron al régimen iraní a desarrollar su sector energético" y, por lo tanto, se convirtieron en "fuentes de financiación de Irán para la consecución de su programa de armas nucleares".

"Podemos disuadir -dijo- a compañías como Petronas, PDVSA y Gazprom de que perforen en aguas cubanas mediante todas las herramientas que tenemos a nuestro alcance", así como poniendo en marcha "nuevas medidas" que haga que los interesados se lo piensen dos veces antes de firmar acuerdos con un "Estado que patrocina el terrorismo".  Mas >>

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen decepcionada por inacción de Obama en impedir el Programa Petrolero Cubano

Leer en el sitio de Ichikawa >>

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen Questioning Secretary Clinton on Cuba

Emilio Ichikawa

Declaración de Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Washington DC – La Congresista Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Presidenta del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores, emitió la siguiente declaración hoy, jueves, expresando so desacuerdo con algunos de los puntos del informe anual Reporte Internacional de Libertades Religiosas del Departamento de Estado, que fue divulgado a principios de esta semana. También hoy Ros-Lehtinen apoyo la aprobación en la Cámara de H.R. 2867, la legislación "Comisión de los Estados Unidos en Reformas y Reautorización a la Libertad Religiosa Internacional del 2011." 

Declaración de Ros-Lehtinen:

"Hoy la Cámara de Representantes demostró su compromiso a la libertad religiosa y a los derechos humanos aprobando un importante proyecto de ley que apoya los esfuerzos norteamericanos para combatir la persecución religiosa alrededor del mundo.

Sin embargo, la más reciente evaluación del Departamento de Estado sobre los violadores más opresivos de la libertad religiosa está incompleta y pone en duda las conclusiones de este informe. Países como Cuba, Venezuela, Rusia y Vietnam se mantienen inexplicablemente ausentes de la lista de `Naciones de Preocupación Particular' (CPC), a pesar de sus largos records de severas violaciones.

En Cuba, el régimen continuo organizando turbas violentas para atacar e intimidar a figuras de la oposición. La semana pasada, docenas de las pacificas `Damas de Blanco' fueron arrestadas mientras intentaban asistir a misa. La campaña antisemítica en los medios de prensa venezolana y la persecución de líderes religiosos sigue siendo una herramienta del régimen dictatorial de Hugo Chavez. Autoridades rusas acusaron falsamente a grupos religiosos de extremismo y los torturan. Finalmente, la persecución en Vietnam de líderes religiosos y sus seguidores es otro ejemplo de porque Vietnam debe ser designada como una Nación de Preocupación Particular, algo que pidió el Comité de Relaciones Exteriores en su Reautorización de Relaciones Exteriores del 2012.

Es importante que futuros informes describan mas realísticamente las crueles realidades que grupos religiosos oprimidos enfrentan en cada país. Le urjo a la Administración implementar las sanciones apropiadas sobre naciones que continúan violando los derechos religiosos y las libertades de sus pueblos."

Ros-Lehtinen: USA Should Fund Only Selected Parts of United Nations

Gulag Bound

U.S. Rep. Ilena Ros-Lehtinen (FL-R)

From NewsBusters to Bloomberg

Open Thread: Republicans Unveiling Bill to Bring Major Changes to the UN

By NB Staff | August 30, 2011 | 10:11
House Republicans are introducing a bill today with hopes to force major changes on the United Nations. The bill would require the UN to allow member countries to fund the UN agencies of their choosing rather than according to a formula, end funding for Palestinian refugees, limit U.S. funding to be used only for purposes specifically outlined by Congress, and end contributions to peacekeeping programs until changes in management take place.
With the United States contributing 22% of the UN’s operating budget, the GOP believes there is enough leverage to force these changes in the UN. Led by the Republican chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ilena Ros-Lehtinen, the changes are designed to end corruption and inefficiency in the global organization. How involved do you think the U.S. should be in the UN? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Muerte de Castro y caida del regimen: Imagineria provocativa kubiche

La muerte fisica de Fidel Castro y la caida del regimen son dos eventos politicos de diferente orden. Ni se caera el Neocastrismo Rauliano con la desaparicion del fidelismo ya occiso, ni a los verdaderos tenedores de poder les interesa que eso suceda. 

Ni la OTAN, ni la OEA, ni las Naciones Unidas seran convocadas porque el curso neocastrista del regimen favorece los intereses de todos los sujetos del poder en ambas orillas, tal y como lo han comprendido los Montaner, los Patterson y la disidencia clasica, colaboracionista y claudicante, oportunamente apalancada por la novisima sociedad "civil" de los Coco Farinas y Yoani Sanchez que se "inscriben" en la OEA.

Planes de contingencia ante muerte de Castro y caída del regimen Cuba? Cual version por favor? Esta confirmando Ileana que Fidel Castro murio? Si fuera ese el caso, el dato carece de importancia, porque el Malevolo en Jefe murio politicamente hace varios anos, desde que el propio Raul ordenara publicar aquel video de una momia moviendo los brazos en un ascensor.

La unica medida activa que contempla el referido Plan de "Contingencias" es evitar a toda costa una nueva ola migratoria, que ademas no se producira porque los de "adentro" no se quieren ir "ahora" que la "cosa" se esta poniendo "buena" con Raul.

Uploaded by cubanews on Aug 30, 2011