Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, says news of Fidel Castro stepping down as Cuban President presents a great opportunity for the people of Cuba. Braley says he hopes for a change in U-S policy toward the island nation.
Braley says the people of Cuba realize that their system of government has "failed them miserable" for the last 40 years, and that the leadership that is going to be assuming responsibility has the same realization that the Soviet Union did when it decided to make democrative reforms to bring about meaningful representative government.
Braley acknowledges U-S policy toward Cuba during the 49 years of Castro’s reign has been riddled by mistakes. He says the focus should be on helping the people of Cuba realize the ability to participate in a democratic government. Braley made his comments today on Iowa Public Radio’s ‘The Exchange".