Funding for Cuba programs stalled in Congress [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Jun. 08, 2011
Funding for Cuba programs stalled in Congress
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
[e-mail]

An Obama administration effort to spend another $20 million on Cuba democracy programs has been blocked for two months amid bitter clashes over policy and personalities.

Words like “backstabber” and “communist dupe” have been thrown about and the issue is littered with leaks and counter-leaks about alleged wrongdoings.

Sen. John Kerry, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is offering to lift the “hold” he put on the money April 1 if the amount is cut to $15 million, according to a note sent by his committee staff to the State Department Friday. El Nuevo Herald obtained a copy.

Committee spokesman Fred Jones declined to comment on the note but said, “We are continuing discussions with the administration in an effort to make sure these programs are effective and meeting real objectives.”

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/08/2257727/funding-for-cuba-programs-stalled.html