FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER MUST PRECEDE CUBA’S READMISSION TO THE O.A.S

Despite press reports stating that Cuba has been unconditionally readmitted into the Organization of American States, the Cuban American National Foundation has confirmed with the U. S. Department of State that the United States has insisted that language be included in the final approved resolution at today's OAS meeting in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, explicitly stating that any return to the hemispheric organization by Cuba must be in full compliance with the practices, principles, and purposes of the OAS, defined as those embodied in the institution's Charter and the fundamental instruments of the organization, such as the Inter-American Democratic Charter, promoting democracy and human rights.

This diplomatic initiative was achieved under the leadership of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, despite the unsuccessful efforts of governments such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Ecuador with strong ties to the Castro regime who campaigned vigorously to allow Cuba readmission in the OAS without any conditions at all.

Cuba under Fidel Castro was originally expelled from the OAS in 1962 for imposing a totalitarian dictatorship, allying itself with the Soviet Union, and not complying with the democratic principles in the organization's charter. We believe that for Cuba to be readmitted to the OAS, it must comply with the organization's core principles. The only major element that has changed since the 1962 decision is that Cuba is no longer allied with the now defunct Soviet Union. Today, the island-nation remains a Marxist-Leninist regime that violates all of the basic civil and human rights of its citizens. Therefore, admission of Cuba must be conditioned to real, significant, and verifiable movement by the present regime in the areas of democratic reform and respect for human rights, such as the release of all political prisoners, and the establishment of basic rights such as freedom of the press, freedom of movement, and free and open multiparty elections.

"We congratulate President Obama and Secretary Clinton for a courageous stance in the face of enormous diplomatic pressure," stated Jorge Mas Santos, CANF Chairman. "If Cuba wishes reinstatement in the OAS, it should fully comply with the principles in its charter. To otherwise allow present-day Cuba readmission into the organization is to betray the democratic ideals upon which the OAS is founded."