[NYTr] Rep. Delahunt calls for hearings re Radio/TV Martí
 
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:19:48 -0500 (CDT)

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The MIAMI HERALD - Jun 24, 2007

Congressman revives Radio, TV MartC- debate

BY TERE FIGUERAS NEGRETE

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt renewed his call for congressional hearings to 
examine the funding and content of Radio and TV MartC-, visiting Miami
during a week that included a passionate debate in Washington over
federal funding of programs pushing for democracy in Cuba.

The Massachusetts Democrat has been an outspoken critic of the Bush 
administration's policy toward Cuba, and advocates loosening the trade 
embargo and travel restrictions to the island.

''If we truly embrace freedom, we have to do it in a way that makes a 
difference,'' said Delahunt.

He said an examination of Radio and TV MartC-'s operations and finances
are part of an overall need to revamp attitudes toward U.S.-Cuba
relations.

''Those who have stayed the course have not made a difference in 50
years. With all due respect to them, they are the indispensable allies
of Fidel Castro,'' he said.

Delahunt, who brought with him members of the congressional
investigative staff, met with Radio and TV MartC- officials including
Pedro Roig, head of the U.S. Office of Cuba Broadcasting.

Alberto MascarC3, chief of staff for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting,
said the congressman came at the behest of Radio and TV MartC- officials.

''It's important to note that we actually invited the congressman to
visit us,'' said MascarC3, who described the talks as ''cordial'' and
said network officials were confident in the transparency and
efficiency of the operation.

''He did mention some things he'd like to have hearings on,'' he said. 
``That's the American system and the right of Congress to do.''

Delahunt singled out finances, content, and whether Cubans on the
island are able to hear the broadcasts as reasons for the hearings.

Delahunt also described the meeting as amicable, and said Roig was
''very forthcoming'' and pledged his cooperation.

As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the chair of
the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, he had promised
congressional hearings last year shortly after Democrats won control of
Congress.

Delahunt, who previously said the hearings would take place by
February, said Saturday there is no set date for the hearings, but they
should take place ``in a couple of months.''

The Miami-based Radio and TV MartC-, which in recent years have faced 
allegations of mismanagement and political cronyism, have cost
taxpayers more than $250 million in the past decade.

The anti-Castro television and radio stations, overseen by Office of
Cuba Broadcasting, were created to beam pro-democracy messages to
people on the island. Congress approved $33 million for the agency's
budget last week, including $5 million a year for an airplane to
broadcast TV MartC- to the island, one of the tactics used to avoid
Cuban authorities jamming the broadcast signal. Critics, including
Delahunt, have long accused the network of airing one-sided broadcasts,
awarding plum jobs to political allies, and question whether the TV
broadcasts -- frequently jammed by the Cuban government -- are worth
the money.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT

Earlier this week, a draft report from the State Department concluded
the broadcasts had improved significantly in recent years.

The official report has not been released, but the draft noted that 
anecdotal evidence suggests the broadcasts were reaching a larger
audience on the island, although it did not provide any concrete
numbers.

U.S. Rep Lincoln DC-az-Balart said Saturday he supported any
congressional examination of Radio and TV MartC-, but said the
Massachusetts congressman's broader criticisms of Cuba policy were
off-base.

''With regard to transparency, it's good to show these are important
and effective programs,'' said DC-az-Balart, who said he hoped the
review will help Radio and TV MartC- improve their broadcasts. ``But
with regard to Mr. Delahunt, he has become one of the most constant
advocates of the same position shared by the Cuban dictatorship.''

Added DC-az-Balart: ``He really has become predictable in his
extremism.''

HEATED DEBATE

Last week also brought a heated debate onto the House floor over the
future of U.S. funding of democracy programs in Cuba.

The vote was the first on Cuba legislation under a Democrat-controlled 
Congress. On Thursday, the House approved a major increase in money for
U.S. programs that support dissidents on the island.

President Bush requested almost $46 million for Cuba democracy programs
for the 2008 fiscal year, five times the amount allotted for 2007. A
group of Democrats had earlier cut the aid back to $9 million, arguing
there was not enough oversight to justify the money would be
well-spent. They noted a government report that cited abuse in the
programs, such as the purchase of cashmere sweaters and pricey
chocolates.

But a successful amendment proposed by two Cuban-American congressmen--
DC-az-Balart, a Republican, and New Jersey's Albio Sires, a Democrat-- 
brought the dollar amount back to the original proposed by the
president.

B) 2007 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miamiherald.com

       
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