MIAMI, June 23 (UPI) -- A huge U.S. House-approved increase for a program to promote democracy in Cuba is a victory for opponents of Fidel Castro.
But critics of the $45.7 million plan say it would be wasted trying to influence public opinion rather than being used to help dissidents, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Saturday.
The House voted 254 to 170 last week to increase the democracy program's funding fivefold to $45.7 million in fiscal 2008. The increase was backed by the White House and South Florida members of Congress who want to bring international pressure against the Cuban government while encouraging dissent within Cuba.
Critics complain the program reaches few dissidents and spends too much trying to influence opinion outside of Cuba.
"No one wants to go on record opposing democracy in Cuba," said William LeoGrande, a Cuban expert at American University in Washington. "But I wouldn't be surprised to see Congress come back in a year to see whether appropriate safeguards have been put in place."
