At a rally in Wisconsin, Senator John McCain of Arizona had weighed in on Fidel Castro and Pervez Musharraf. Just recently, Fidel Castro had announced he is stepping down as Cuba’s leader. It is likely that his brother Raul will be taking power after Fidel Castro.
In the case of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf’s party has lost power. The parliamentary elections had been dominated by the Pakistan People’s Party and the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had dominated over the party of President Pervez Musharraf.
First off, McCain would address what is going on in Cuba right now.
“I noticed that Fidel Castro announced that he was going to turn over the government – most likely to his brother,” McCain said. He added by saying: “This is a great opportunity for Cuba to make a transition to a democracy, to empty their political prisons, to invite human rights organizations into their country and begin the transition to a free and open society and allow people of Cuba the same opportunity that people all over the world deserve.”
Raul had taken over as the interim leader in 2006 when Fidel had fallen ill. Castro had rarely made public appearances. Only signs of his appearances were on the news which is controlled by the state.
However, while US Democratic hopefuls and frontrunners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton said the country should be open to Cuba’s willingness to change. But, McCain said that benchmarks should be met on Cuba’s part first. He said that the US should only offer assistance if Cuba works towards a democracy.
“I think we should make it very clear that once free elections are held, that the political prisoners are released, and human rights organizations are functioning in Cuba that we would be willing to provide whatever aid and assistance that’s necessary,” McCain said in regards to Cuba having to meet benchmarks.
McCain had feared if the benchmarks are not met before the US helps, it would give birth to another regime.
Then, he would give his thoughts on Pakistan. It has been talked about how President Musharraf has been a valuable ally in Pakistan in the war on terror. Musharraf’s party was crushed in the parliamentary elections.
“Although not unexpected, [the results] certainly are going to present a challenge for us to deal with the new government of Pakistan. I believe that whoever runs that country, we have a common interest in defeating the Taliban and having good relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” McCain said in regards to Pakistan.
McCain let it be known that Cuba and Pakistan will be future debate topics and issues.
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