HAVANA (voa) – Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has told Cuban citizens that the U.S. Congress should repeal the economic embargo on their country and allow U.S. citizens to travel freely to the communist-led island.
Mr. Carter’s speech late Tuesday from the University of Havana was broadcast live and uncensored on Cuban radio and television. President Fidel Castro was in the audience.
Speaking in heavily-accented Spanish, he encouraged President Castro’s government to allow a popular vote on democratic reforms.
The former U.S. president said one party dominates Cuba’s socialist system. He called on the government to allow the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and the International Red Cross to visit the island nation.
Mr. Carter said it is time for the United States and Cuba to change their long-standing, hostile relationship. He said the United States should take the first step toward improving relations because it is the more powerful nation.
President Bush responded Tuesday, saying despite Mr. Carter’s speech, White House foreign policy would not change. Mr. Bush said he urges the Cuban people to demand freedom and will stand behind them if they do so.
Later Wednesday, Mr. Carter’s agenda includes a meeting with Ricardo Alarcon, the president of Cuba’s National Assembly. Mr. Carter is the first American president in or out of office to visit Cuba since the 1959 revolution that brought Mr. Castro to power.
