From The Road
February 19, 2008 1:36 PM

McCain on Castro, Musharraf

By
Andante Higgins
Topics
John McCain
(CBS)

From CBS News' Andante Higgins:


BROOKFIELD, WIS. -- At a rally in Wisconsin, McCain addressed today's news from Cuba that Fidel Castro will relinquish power.

"I noticed that Fidel Castro announced that he was going to turn over the government – most likely to his brother," he said. "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."

Castro resigned as president of Cuba today after nearly 50 years in power. The Communist leader fell ill in 2006 and underwent surgery, handing the reigns of government over to his brother, Raul Castro, while he was incapacitated. It is widely expected Raul will succeed his brother as president.

McCain also said the United States should offer assistance only if the new government is working towards a free and open 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," he said. "I fear that anything short of that…that any assistance that came in earlier than that might serve to prop up a new regime or Raul or whoever it is that wants to take Castro's place so we have to be absolutely confident that a transition to a free and open democracy is being made before we provide that additional aid and assistance…Once that happens I'm sure the American people will do whatever is necessary to help the people of Cuba."

McCain also weighed in on the recent elections in Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf's ruling party was soundly defeated on Monday, which could create problems for the U.S., as Musharraf is an important ally in the war on terror.

"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," he said. "So far they have had a fair election according to observers that are there and that's good. We look forward to dealing with the new government of Pakistan and certainly we appreciate the relationship we have with President Musharraf and hope to maintain that."

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