International

Bush Rejects Dissidents' Call to Change Cuba Policy

By Melissa Block, Tom Gjelten

Published May 7, 2008 at 1:00 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

On Tuesday, President Bush heard recommendations for a loosening of policy on Cuba from three prominent dissidents. In a private video conference with Bush, the dissidents discussed the changes under way under Raul Castro and how the United States might respond. But in a speech Wednesday to the Council of the Americans in Washington, Bush rejected calls for a policy change.

International

Melissa Block

As special correspondent and guest host of NPR's news programs, Melissa Block brings her signature combination of warmth and incisive reporting. Her work over the decades has earned her journalism's highest honors, and has made her one of NPR's most familiar and beloved voices.

Tom Gjelten

Tom Gjelten reports on religion, faith, and belief for NPR News, a beat that encompasses such areas as the changing religious landscape in America, the formation of personal identity, the role of religion in politics, and conflict arising from religious differences. His reporting draws on his many years covering national and international news from posts in Washington and around the world.