Posted on Sat, Mar. 20, 2004
Advisor affirms Bush's Cuba policy
Karl Rove, President Bush's key political strategist, wins a standing ovation when he promises a Miami audience tougher sanctions on Castro.
BY PETER WALLSTEN AND LESLEY CLARK
pwallsten@herald.com
With Democrats vowing to exploit a rift between the White House and some Cuban-American leaders, President Bushs top political strategist assured Miami GOP activists Friday night that the administration is committed to economically strangling Fidel Castros government.
In a speech that seemed designed specifically to soothe long-simmering tensions, senior White House strategist Karl Rove devoted more time to Cuba than any other issue -- drawing a standing ovation from the heavily Hispanic crowd at a Miami-Dade Republican Party fundraiser.
''Have no doubt, we will remain committed,'' Rove told the crowd at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre in west Miami-Dade County. Referring to the president, he added: ``He knows, you know, we must not waver.''
PROMISES
Rove unleashed a litany of promises to tighten the grip on Castro, saying the administration would find ''new and creative ways'' to limit the flow of money to the island, punish companies that do business there and crack down on travel.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/8232837.htm