MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Try again Jimmy

US President George Bush is expected this week to adopt a harder line towards Cuba leaving no doubts as to where his administration stands following the bridge-building historic visit of former president Jimmy Carter, who during a speech in Havana, called for more civil liberties in the island but also the lifting of the forty years US trade and communications embargo.

Mr. Bush will be talking from the White House and will later visit Miami where he's expected to put an end to speculations about the possibility of lifting the embargo, and reinforce his administration's commitment with the Cuban dissidents in the island.

Speculations about the lifting of the trade embargo began with the six days visit of Mr. Carter to Cuba where he was received by President Fidel Castro and was allowed to talk with political dissidents plus a national address demanding more civil and political rights for the Cuban population.

Mr. Carter, the most important US figure to visit Cuba since 1959, challenged both Mr. Castro and Mr. Bush to change the current confrontation policy and help the Cuban people. However, according to political sources in Washington Mr. Bush it's almost certain to announce further travel restrictions, more help to opposition groups and additional radio (saturation) transmissions to Cuba. Some US Congressmen fear President Bush could even cut the 100 US dollars a month Cuban residents in the US are allowed to send to relatives in the island. Even before Mr. Carter's visit the Bush administration was claiming that Cuba was involved in the manufacturing of biological weapons, so far unfounded.

Mr. Bush total support to the Cuban anti Castro community in Miami is understandable. It was the 27 votes in the Electoral College of Florida and the ballot counting in that state that decided the most contested (and questioned) presidential election in US history.

Florida could also be crucial in 2004 when Mr. Bush's reelection comes up and besides brother Jeb Bush, Florida's Governor, is also seeking reelection next November. Try again Jimmy; but Florida is more than the sun and orange state.