“November 4 [2003]. The UN [United Nations] General Assembly votes overwhelmingly against the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba for the 12th consecutive year. Only 3 nations vote for the embargo: the U.S., Israel and the Marshall Islands.” [Con Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“October 24 [2003]. The U.S. Senate votes (59 to 36) in favor of lifting the ban on travel to Cuba. The result is similar to a vote at the House of Representatives last month. This is a major ‘rebuff’ of President [George W.] Bush’s policy towards Cuba. (The travel ban was introduced by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.)” [Con Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“October 20 [2003]. About 3 dozen US travel industry executives spend the day in Cuba to consider ‘future business potential.’ At the end of the day they return to a resort in Cancun, Mexico, where the first US-Cuba travel conference is held.” [Con Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“October 10 [2003]. U.S. President George W. Bush establishes the Committee for Assistance to a Free Cuba, and further enforces the ban on travel to the island.” [Pro Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“September 15 [2003]. The US House of Representatives approve a bill ending travel restrictions to Cuba for US citizens. The bill, authored by Jeff Flake [Rep-AZ], wins by a vote of 227 to 188. (Like similar bills on the embargo passed by the House, this one will die in the Senate.)” [Con Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“… [Cuban] President Fidel Castro said on 6 September [2003]. While addressing the newly-elected Parliament, the Cuban statesman described the U.S. Interest Section as ‘a breeding ground of counterrevolutionaries and command post of subversive’ actions against Cuba.”
“George W. Bush (R). Timeline,” Cuba versus Blockade: Cuban People’s website, 2007
“August 7 [2003]. In Washington, House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) says the U.S. should open trade with Cuba.” [Con Embargo]
Jerry A. Sierra, “Economic Embargo Timeline,” HistoryofCuba.com
“20/04/2003 Official Note. An article in the New York Times reported yesterday that President [George W.] Bush was mulling over a series of measures to punish the Cuban government. Among the most dramatic actions is the possibility to suspend remittances for relatives of Cuban-Americans living on the island, an assistance that is critical for millions of Cubans, or the suspension of direct flights to Cuba, said some officials.” [Pro Embargo]
“George W. Bush (R). Timeline,” Cuba versus Blockade: Cuban People’s website, 2007
“As members of the Cuba Working Group, we condemn the Cuban government’s detention and sentencing of many Cuban citizens who have been promoting civil, political, and human rights, hosting independent libraries, or practicing independent journalism. We call on the Cuban government to reverse this course of action and release these people immediately. Our bipartisan group of Members of the United States House of Representatives has long been working to change US policy towards Cuba. Through repeated legislative victories, we have demonstrated that the majority of the House supports ending several of the key aspects of the embargo that undermine US interests, such as the ban on travel to Cuba by US citizens…Many of us have visited Cuba and met with several of the Cuban citizens who now face prison sentences of 20 years or more. It is inconceivable to us that these people were involved in a conspiracy with the US Government. Rather, they were working peacefully for the benefit of the Cuban people. And ironically, many of them strongly advocate improving US policy towards Cuba – something the Cuban government says it supports. Their imprisonment removes a powerful voice for better relations between citizens of Cuba and the US. Therefore, we call on the Cuban government to immediately and unconditionally release these people, as well as all other prisoners of conscience. We also call on the Cuban government to return the property seized in this crackdown; cease intimidation of activists; and allow them to carry out their peaceful activities.” [Con Embargo]
“Statement of the House CWG on Dissidents’ Sentencing,” Latin America Working Group, LAWG.org, (Cuba Policy Foundation date April 11, 2003)
“Is such momentum for a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba now lost due to Castro’s crackdown on dissidents?…That is, the apparent strategy by the Cuban government to appeal to members of Congress through politically targeted farm purchases, and efforts to court American public opinion have been trumped by actions against human rights activists that are woefully unacceptable by most Americans’ standards…[Fidel] Castro already has taken a first step, in addition to the initial crackdown, toward setting the U.S.-Cuba debate on a negative course… A more subtle shift in commercial relations would be if Cuba reduces politically targeted agricultural purchases. The Cuban government made little secret of a strategy of attempting to stimulate interest for easing the embargo by making farm purchases from key states or Congressional districts of members of Congress who may support easing the embargo…However, should the debate remain fixated on Castro’s actions rather what would be an effective U.S. policy to advance America’s national interest and to affect a positive change in Cuba, sentiments for opening the embargo could be lost among the chorus of cries condemning Castro.” [Con Embargo]
“Embargo Update: Congress Reacts to Castro’s Crackdown: The charm offensive is over, but what course to expect in U.S. policy?” Cuba Policy Foundation, April 9, 2003