Will the President allow former President
Carter to travel to Cuba to seek improved relations?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the law is clear on
that. That's a matter that is at the Department of Treasury
that sets out the criteria for people to travel to Cuba for
humanitarian missions. And
that's -- and the law is clear. The
law will be obeyed.
If President Carter were to travel to Cuba, the President hopes
that his message would be a very direct and straightforward message,
that in order to have human rights in Cuba, it's important for Fidel
Castro to allow democracy to take root, to stop the repression and to
stop the imprisonments, to bring freedom to the people of
Cuba. He hopes that would be a message that would be taken
directly to President Castro is President Carter were to go.
Q Tomorrow, is he going to Philadelphia, the
President?
MR. FLEISCHER: Tomorrow? No.
Q Another note about the
Oscars. What's the President's thoughts about the wins last
night, particularly the historic awards?
MR. FLEISCHER: I really have not had a chance to talk to
the President about it last night. I talked to him this
morning about some other issues, but I did not have a chance to talk to
him about that.
Q Do you know if he watched some of
those --
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, remember, he was traveling back
from South America last night --
Q -- watched any of those movies
that were up for awards.
MR. FLEISCHER: I do not have my list of President
watched movies. I don't know about all the President's
personal habits.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.
END 1:02
P.M. EST