Delahunt Calls for More Oversight into Costly Cuba Program
Cuba
Cape Cod Times
Paul Crocetti
Boston University Washington News Service
November 15, 2006
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 —Millions of dollars intended for promoting democracy in Cuba were spent without adequate federal oversight, according to a new government report.
The report prompted U.S. Reps. William Delahunt, D-Mass., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Wednesday to call for more oversight into the federal aid program for promoting democracy in Cuba.
The report, released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative arm, detailed ineffective management and oversight of the U.S. pro-democracy programs in the island nation.
According to the report, the U.S. has spent approximately $73 million to promote democracy in Cuba, but much of that money has been distributed with inadequate oversight. The report identified questionable expenditures like a gas chain saw, Nintendo Gameboys and Sony Playstations, Godiva chocolate and a cashmere sweater.
“Internal controls—both over the awarding of Cuba program grants and oversight of grantees—do not provide adequate assurance that the grant funds are being used properly and that grantees are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations,” the report stated.
Delahunt said he and Flake, who both oppose the embargo against Cuba, requested the report last year. Delahunt is the senior Democrat on the House International Relations Committee’s Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, while Flake is the vice-chair of that panel.
“We wanted an objective analysis of programs, operations, controls, and efficacy, given the context of what is transpiring in Iraq, in terms of waste and efficiency,” Delahunt said.
In July, the Bush Administration called for $80 million in additional funding for the program.
“Speaking for myself and my party, we haven’t exactly been that great at oversight,” Flake said.
Delahunt and Flake expressed concern that 95 percent of the grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development were made “in response to unsolicited proposals,” according to the report.
Delahunt, who is in line to become chairman of the investigations subcommittee, said the panel will likely hold hearings on this issue at the start of the next Congress.
“I would expect that the subcommittee will invite grantees and others participating in Cuba democracy promotion to come before the committee and answer the type of questions that Jeff and I and others, on a bipartisan basis, have raised,” Delahunt said.
Delahunt, who has traveled to Cuba many times with Flake, said the situation there will remain one of his most important issues as he enters his sixth term of Congress.
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