DATE=05/03/02

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=CARTER TRIP/CUBAN-AMERICANS

NUMBER=5-51546

BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN

DATELINE=MIAMI

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Historically, Miami's large Cuban-American community has opposed most forms of contact between the United States and Cuba. But a prominent Cuban-American lobbying group is giving its qualified blessing to former U-S President Jimmy Carter's planned trip to the communist-run island later this month. From Miami, V-O-A's Michael Bowman reports.

TEXT: For decades, Cuban exiles have expressed concern that foreign dignitaries' overtures to Cuban President Fidel Castro only serve to "legitimize" the communist leader, giving him a public relations boost.

But the Cuban-American National Foundation, an influential lobbying group, is expressing support for former President Jimmy Carter's upcoming visit to the island as an opportunity to push human rights issues.

Jorge Mas Santos is chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, or C-A-N-F, which dispatched a delegation to Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday to meet with Mr. Carter and discuss the goals of the president's trip.

/// MAS ACT ///

President Carter has a great opportunity in Cuba. We think he can take advantage of that.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Mas says the ground rules established for President Carter's visit make the trip palatable to his organization.

/// MAS ACT ///

That he is going to have unfettered access to the Cuban people, through Cuban television and the Cuban media; that he is going to be able to speak and move about the island freely. We think this could have a very positive impact.

/// END ACT ///

Former President Carter has, for years, expressed opposition to the long-standing U-S economic embargo of Cuba, which the Cuban-American National Foundation views as a critical tool to force democratic change on the island. Speaking with reporters recently, Mr. Carter gave no indication that his views have changed on the matter.

/// CARTER ACT ///

I think the best way to bring about democratic changes in Cuba is, obviously, to have maximum commerce and trade and visitation by Americans and others who know freedom - to let the Cuban people know of the advantages (of freedom).

/// END ACT ///

/// OPT /// Observers say Mr. Carter's trip comes at a time when Cuban exiles are making a concerted effort to appear less strident and inflexible in staking their positions. The exile community was heavily criticized for intransigence amid the upheaval surrounding Cuban shipwreck survivor Elian Gonzalez two years ago, when overall U-S public option gradually swung in favor of re-uniting the boy with his Castro-loyalist father. /// END OPT ///

The Cuban-American National Foundation says Mr. Carter's trip to Cuba should focus on human rights and democratic change, not U-S-Cuban policy.

C-A-N-F Chairman Jorge Mas Santos:

/// MAS ACT ///

We have to advocate a position - opening a space for those in Cuba who cannot speak for themselves. It (the visit) should not be a referendum on U-S-Cuba policy, but (an opportunity) to advocate freedom and human rights in Cuba.

/// END ACT ///

/// OPT /// However, many exiles doubt Mr. Carter's trip will, by itself, bring change to Cuba. They note that Fidel Castro remains staunchly committed to a socialist path, and has flatly rejected suggestions of reform from other high-profile visitors, most notably Pope John Paul the Second, who made a pilgrimage to Cuba in 1998. /// END OPT ///

Former President Carter will be in Cuba from May 12th through the 17th, traveling as a private citizen. He will be the most prominent U-S official to visit the island since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. (SIGNED)

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