Bush: Cubans on the island will decide country's fate

CRAWFORD, United States (AFP) - Cubans "on the island" ought to decide what kind of government they want before US-based exiles take up grievances like property confiscated under the communist regime of Fidel Castro, President George W. Bush said.

But Cuban-American groups in Miami rejected Bush's view, saying they would not wait for the end to Castro's regime to involve themselves in the island's politics.

"Our desire is for the Cuban people to be able to choose their own form of government," said Bush, speaking from his Texas ranch one week after President Castro provisionally handed power to his brother, defense minister Raul Castro, as he reportedly recovered from surgery to stem intestinal bleeding.

US officials "would hope that -- and we'll make this very clear -- that as Cuba has the possibility of transforming itself from a tyrannical situation to a different type of society, the Cuban people ought to decide," Bush said.

Once Cubans form a government, "then Cuban-Americans can take an interest in that country and redress the issues of property confiscation," he said. "But first things first, and that is the Cuban people need to decide the future of their country."

Reacting to Bush's statement, two leading Cuban exile groups in Miami said that they will not wait for a political change on the island to get involved in Cuban affairs.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060807/wl_...HNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
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