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MartinezCondemnsCubaPolicyReport

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By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: February 24, 2009

WASHINGTON - Florida Sen. Mel Martinez lashed out at a Senate report Monday that says there is little evidence to suggest a democracy will soon arise in Cuba's post-Castro era unless the United States changes its own policies toward that country.

Martinez differs with Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's top Republican, who contends in his new report that it is time to rethink the 47-year-old U.S. trade embargo with Cuba and other policies toward that country.

"By limiting engagement with Cuba's second-tier leaders, the U.S. government forgoes the opportunity of establishing ties that might positively influence the advancement of U.S. interests in the near future," suggests Lugar's report, referring to leaders who may succeed Raul Castro, who took over power from his ailing brother, Fidel.

"While I have great respect for Senator Lugar, the report doesn't plow a lot of new ground," said Martinez, a Republican born in Cuba who was the first Cuban-American U.S. senator.

Martinez said it "rehashes the same old set of proposals that have either been attempted or rejected," or which have lacked, from the Cuban government, "the kind of cooperation one needs to have if you're going to engage in closer relations."

Martinez has argued the existing Cuban government must first make greater strides toward releasing political prisoners, assuring basic human rights and allowing democratic elections.

But Lugar's report is sure to add fuel to the debate in Congress over the effectiveness of the U.S. embargo, as President Barack Obama's new administration mulls its strategy for the island nation.

The report argues that the embargo on Cuba "has failed to achieve its stated purpose of 'bringing democracy' to the Cuban people," and has even given the Cuban government a convenient "scapegoat" for its nation's economic ills.

Written by a senior Lugar aide who traveled to Cuba in January, the report also asserts that internal opposition to the Castro-led government does not appear "sufficiently well developed" among Cubans.

A popular uprising - even after the Castros leave power - is unlikely, the report states.

There is a wide expectation that Obama will back changes in some current U.S. policy toward Cuba. During his presidential campaign, he spoke in favor of reducing restrictions on remittances and travel to the island.

He also said he would be open to meeting with Raul Castro.

But like his predecessor, Obama has also said he advocates removing the trade embargo only if Cuba enacts some democratic reforms.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673.

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