Originally published Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
Clinton says Cuba not ready for OAS
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that Cuba shouldn't be allowed to rejoin the Organization of American States until it makes political reforms, releases political prisoners and respects human rights.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that Cuba shouldn't be allowed to rejoin the Organization of American States until it makes political reforms, releases political prisoners and respects human rights.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Clinton said the charter of the Western Hemisphere bloc of nations requires members to adhere to democratic standards that the communist government of Cuba does not yet meet.
"Any effort to admit Cuba into the OAS is really in Cuba's hands," she said. "They have to be willing to take the concrete steps necessary to meet those principles."
"If Cuba is not willing to abide by (the charter's) terms then I cannot foresee how Cuba can be a part of the OAS and I certainly would not be supporting in any way such an effort to admit it," said Clinton, who plans to attend the organization's annual general assembly on June 2 in Honduras.
At that meeting, some countries want the organization to annul a resolution that suspended Cuba's membership. Cuba was expelled from the OAS in 1962 after the communist revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power.
"We're hoping that the members of the OAS will abide by their own charter," Clinton said.
The Obama administration has said it wants to engage with Cuba and eased some sanctions but has called on Cuba's government, now led by Fidel Castro's brother Raul, to reciprocate with reforms before moving ahead. Clinton said those steps would include moving toward democracy, releasing political prisoners and respecting "fundamental freedoms."
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Share
![]()
Snowstorms force U.S. House to scrap workweek
NEW - 10:39 PM
Two names dominate as Seattle begins police-chief search
Alabama senator releases holds on Obama nominees
First lady begins fight against childhood obesity
UPDATE - 10:18 PM
State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases

nwautos
Associated Press Study: Fatal crashes down in Washington Last year Washington's roads were the scene of the fewest fatal crashes since 1955. According...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Five reasons to stick with a job you hate -- for now
Post a comment
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- Idol Confessions | "American Idol" hopeful from Seattle didn't make it to Hollywood afterall
- State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Nicole Brodeur | Chrisceda Clemmons' house wasn't the only casualty
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
278 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
249 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
245 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
231 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
210 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
193 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
127 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
91 - Bus-tunnel attack while guards watched prompts review of Metro security
87
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- City, Vulcan push higher South Lake Union height limits
- Commentary: Microsoft's creative destruction
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Jerry Large | Learning not to copy China
- All You Can Eat | Portage chef Vuong Loc takes Cremant space in Madrona
- Rigorous college-prep classes skyrocketing in Washington state





