Daily Chronology Of Statements About Cuba From Trump Administration
/THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
20 June 2017
PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MR. SPICER: Good afternoon.
Sean, regarding the President’s Cuba policy, the Cuban foreign minister just yesterday said that it is “a grotesque spectacle.” Does the President have any reaction to that?
MR. SPICER: The policy the President laid out for Cuba first and foremost is something that will help the Cuban people. It will stop making -- encouraging payments to the military and help them economically lift themselves up. That is the greatest form of human rights that we can push for right now, to make sure that those efforts that we do and that the American citizens who travel or do business in Cuba follow the law.
Our goal is to make sure that the policies for this government first and foremost help the Cuban people. And I think that’s what the President has done, and we will continue to advocate for.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
19 June 2017
PRESS GAGGLE BY PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MR. SPICER: Good afternoon.
Q Thanks a lot, Sean. We got a reaction today from Cuba's foreign minister as it relates to U.S.-Cuba policy, which was announced by the President last week. And one of the things he said is, under no circumstances will Cuba release any of those fugitives that President Trump asked Cuba to release. What kind of pressure can be brought to bear on the Cuban government to get that particular element of what the President wanted actually taking place?
MR. SPICER: The number-one piece of what the President did was to lay the groundwork for empowering the Cuban people to develop greater economic and political liberty. That was at the heart of what this did. It was a promise that he made during the campaign trail. And I think instead of empowering the Cuban military and its ability to control the money that goes through, which was not getting to the people, the President's actions that he took on Friday are going to help empower the people and make sure that not only does he maintain a promise that the American people follow the law, but the bigger result is that we empower the Cuban people. And I think that's the real big takeaway that I have.
Q Do you anticipate the President announcing any further sanctions on the Cuban government to get various things related to Cuban rights solved or these fugitives brought back to America?
MR. SPICER: I think -- let's let the first -- we're one business day into these actions that the President took. I think they're being widely hailed as a step in the right direction to accomplishing -- empowering the Cuban people. Let's give it a little time. But as the President says on a variety of subjects, let's not project what we're going to do and make sure that we see how things -- and reserve the right to go forward.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
13 June 2017
PRESS GAGGLE
BY PRINCIPAL DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SARAH SANDERS
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Washington, D.C.
Sarah, do you have any more details on the announcement that's expected on Friday about changes to Cuba policy? What parts of the Obamacare administration's policy is the President planning to roll back? And what is he planning to announce in Miami?
MS. SANDERS: There aren't any final decisions on that front yet. But as soon as we have information on that, I would be happy to share it with you.
Q Just to follow up on that, you mean there's no final decisions? Or you just don't have them to provide for us?
MS. SANDERS: My understanding is there's not a final decision and that it's all still being reviewed at this time.
Q But he is going down there despite the fact that no final decision --
MS. SANDERS: Again, we haven't made an announcement about that specifically, but we'll keep you posted when we do.
The Wall Street Journal
Washington, DC
13 June 2017
Excerpts:
“The general approach is to allow as much of this continued commercial and engagement activity to go on as possible because we do see the sunny side...we see the benefits of that to the Cuban people,” said Mr. Tillerson, who appeared before the committee as a witness. “But on the other hand, we think we have achieved very little in terms of changing the behavior in the regime in Cuba, its treatment of people, and it has little incentive today to change that.”
He added: “In fact, our concern is they may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of all of this, which just again promotes the continuance of that regime.”
“As we’re developing these business relationships and as we’re enjoying the benefits of the economic and development side, are we inadvertently or directly providing financial support to the regime? Our view is we are,” Mr. Tillerson told lawmakers.
Thomson Reuters
Washington, DC
13 June 2017
Excerpts:
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday said Cuba "must begin to address human rights challenges" if it wants Washington to preserve a move toward more normal relations started under former President Barack Obama.
Under questioning from Democratic Senator Tom Udall, Tillerson agreed that moves toward more normal relations with the United States have helped some Cubans lift themselves out of poverty and provided opportunities for U.S. companies.
However, Tillerson said there is a "dark side" to relations with Cuba, noting that the government in Havana continues to jail political opponents and harass dissidents.
"If we're going to sustain the sunny side of this relationship, Cuba must, absolutely must, address these human rights challenges," Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a hearing on the broad State Department budget.
He said the Trump administration's view is that the new U.S. policy is providing financial support to the Cuban government, which would violate U.S. law.
"We are supportive of the ... economic development, as long as it is done in full compliance with our existing statutes, and not provide financial support to the Cuban regime," Tillerson said. "That's the focus of our current policy review."
El Nuevo Herald
Miami, Florida
12 June 2017
Statements by Ms. Helen Aguirre Ferre, Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs at The White House....
“The president has not seen the final proposal and has not approved it. He is a very independent president in his way of thinking and it would not be the first time he throws something back to be reviewed,” White House spokeswoman Helen Aguirre Ferré said.
Aguirre Ferré said a proposal to prohibit business with GAESA, “is one of the many possibilities discussed. It is being considered as one of the many options. “But almost everything is being looked at.”
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
12 June 2017
PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER
Q My other question was, there are widespread stories and speculation that when the President goes to Miami this Friday he will undo the executive orders from the Obama administration that eased relations with Cuba. Can you confirm whether he will undo all of them or some of them?
MR. SPICER: (Laughter.) That's a good try. I will say that when we have an announcement on the President's schedule, we'll let you know. But just stay tuned. We have a very busy week -- an ambitious agenda this week.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
30 May 2017
PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER
And my second question, I did want to mention that before he left to go abroad, the President praised Philippine President Duterte for his action against drug dealers and dealing with them. Various human rights groups have condemned President Duterte, saying that a lot of the executions of drug dealers have been done without trial. Does the President stand by his words of praise for the Philippine President?
MR. SPICER: I think the President recognizes the need to combat drugs, but he also believes in human rights. It's something that he’s worked with several countries -- it's one of the reasons that he’s reviewing the Cuba policy, et cetera. He wants -- human rights is something that’s very strong to him. It's something that he’s discussed in private with several countries.
Statements From The White House About Cuba.... Chronology
http://www.cubatrade.org/blog/2017/3/12/6rhpts5hb63h4xirou3am6ycrexpbk
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
19 March 2017
Readout of the President’s Day
.... He spoke to President Michelle Bachelet of Chile to discuss our bilateral relationship, including our close cooperation on trade and security issues. President Trump expressed concern over the situation in Venezuela, and the leaders agreed on the importance of advancing democratic principles throughout the Western Hemisphere.
EFE
Washington, DC
8 March 2017
Excerpts from interview with Ms. Helen Aguirre Ferre, Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs at The White House....
"The president has been very clear that they are going to evaluate all the agreements that the prior administration (of Barack Obama) made with Cuba," said Aguirre Ferre, who is of Nicaraguan heritage.
...in Trump's judgment, "Cuba did not offer any concessions, with all that it was given in what has been the normalization and reestablishment of agreements and diplomatic behavior."
Cuba is hosting "fugitives from US justice, it has to turn over those people and also talk about the importance of free elections and free political prisoners," Aguirre Ferre said.
Trump's adviser avoided commenting on whether there has been any contact as yet between the Trump administration and Cuba, saying that that it a question for the State Department.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
16 February 2017
Remarks by President Trump in Press Conference
THE PRESIDENT: ... We had dinner with Senator [Marco] Rubio [R-Florida] and his wife, who is, by the way, lovely. And we had a really good discussion about Cuba because we have very similar views on Cuba. And Cuba was very good to me in the Florida election as you know, the Cuban people, Americans.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
3 February 2017
Press Briefing
Mr. Spicer: With that, I’m going to go my first Skype question seat. Jackie Nespral from NBC 6 in South Florida. Jackie.
Question: Good afternoon. On behalf of the viewers of South Florida, thanks so much for this opportunity. You know, a lot of focus on foreign affairs this week, a new sanctions announced today against Iran, and of course Miami, as you know, is home to the largest Cuban-American community in the country. And during the campaign, President Trump talked about his discontent with the warming of U.S.-Cuba relations implemented by President Obama. And in the last days of his administration, he ended the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, leaving thousands of Cubans in limbo.
So my question is twofold. A, has there been any contact between your administration and the Cuban government? And B, are there any plans to change the current policy right now?
Mr. Spicer: Thanks, Jackie. We are in the midst of a full review of all U.S. policies towards Cuba. The President is committed to an agenda of ensuring human rights for all citizens throughout the world. And as we review those policies in Cuba, that will be forefront in their policy discussions, but there is nothing that we have on that front at this point.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
24 January 2017
Press Briefing
Question: Does the President have any plans to change US policy towards Cuba there are a lot of changes that took place during the last Administration and the Executive Orders as it relates to US-Cuba relations?
Mr. Spicer: I have to follow-up with you we've got nothing that we're ready to announce at this point.
Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate
Washington, DC
21 January 2017
Written answers by Mr. Rex Tillerson, nominee to be United States Secretary of State, as published by the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Question: Despite the Obama Administration’s controversial and misguided decision to normalize relations with Cuba and its hope that this could lead to improved governance and human rights, Cuban officials continue to arrest dissidents and violate the rights of citizens, and tourism revenues benefit only government officials and a small minority of the population. How do you plan to approach the United States’ relationship with Cuba? How will you support human rights defenders and democracy activists in Cuba? What bilateral and/or multilateral pressure will you exert to lessen authoritarian rule in Cuba?
Tillerson: If confirmed, I will engage with Cuba but continue to press for reform of its oppressive regime. I will support human rights defenders and democracy activists in Cuba, empower civil society, defend freedom of expression, and promote improved Internet access and I will ask our allies to do the same.
Will you continue to support programs that promote democratic voices and initiatives in Cuba like Radio and TV Marti?
Yes, if I am confirmed.
What steps will you take to pressure the Castro regime to return American political fugitives like New Jersey cop-killer Joanne Chesimard?
If confirmed, I will engage bilaterally and multilaterally to bring these fugitives to justice.
Will you work with the Treasury Department to ensure that no revenue from American businesses goes directly toward supporting the Cuban military and the regime?
Yes, if I am confirmed.
NOTE: On 9 June 2016, The Honorable Paul Ryan (R-WI), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, issued "Achieving U.S. Security Through Leadership & Liberty" The second paragraph of the document included this sentence: "A first step should be to ban financial transactions with the Cuban military." http://www.cubatrade.org/blog/2016/6/11/speaker-of-the-house-paul-ryan-wants-to-rescind-starwood-hotel-management-agreement?rq=Paul%20Ryan
What steps will you take to encourage the government of Cuba to release political prisoners, artists, journalists, and other Cubans being detained for politically-motivated reasons?
If confirmed, I will press Cuba to meet its pledge to become more democratic and consider placing conditions on trade or travel policies to motivate the release of political prisoners.
What steps will you take to promote judicial reform in Cuba?
I will work bilaterally and multilaterally to identify training and technical assistance opportunities to assist with judicial reform, if I am confirmed.
On October 12, 2016, PEOTUS Donald Trump stated, “The people of Cuba have struggled too long. Will reverse Obama’s Executive Orders and concessions towards Cuba until freedoms are restored.” Do you stand by PEOTUS Trump’s commitment to reverse the Obama Administration’s Cuba regulations until freedoms are restored on the island?
Yes. There will be a comprehensive review of current policies and executive orders regarding Cuba to determine how best to pressure Cuba to respect human rights and promote democratic changes.
On October 14, 2016, VPEOTUS Mike Pence reiterated this commitment by stating, “When Donald Trump and I take to the White House, we will reverse Barack Obama’s executive orders on Cuba.” Do you stand by VPEOTUS Pence’s commitment to reverse the Obama Administration’s Cuba regulations?
Yes, if I am confirmed.
United States Secretary of State Designate Rex Tillerson
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Confirmation Hearing Opening Statement
11 January 2017
Excerpts…..
Good morning.
I am honored to have the backing of Senator Cornyn and Senator Cruz from my home state of Texas. I also want to thank Senator Nunn for his commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, and Secretary Gates for his service to eight presidents and his own leadership as President of the Boy Scouts of America.
Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, and Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State and to seek the approval of this Committee and the full Senate for my confirmation.
But our leadership demands action specifically focused on improving the conditions of people the world over, utilizing both aid and economic sanctions as instruments of foreign policy when appropriate.
And we must adhere to standards of accountability. Our recent engagement with the government of Cuba was not accompanied by any significant concessions on human rights. We have not held them accountable for their conduct. Their leaders received much, while their people received little. That serves neither the interest of Cubans or Americans.
Abraham Lincoln declared that America is “the last best hope of Earth.” Our moral light must not go out if we are to remain an agent of freedom.
