Febreary 28, 2008

US Secretary of Commerce gives CAMBIO bracelet to Czech Prime Minister

February 28, 2008

During his visit to the US this week, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek received a CAMBIO bracelet from Secretary of Commerce Carlos M Gutierrez.

In a press conference following the meeting, Secretary Gutierrez expressed gratitude for the Czech Republic's efforts in promoting human rights in Cuba:

"I think [the people of the Czech Republic] have provided great courage and they are a great role model for the rest of the world, and we stand with them in our support of the Cuban people in their quest to gain freedom and to gain human rights that some many people around the world deserve and enjoy."

At a press conference the next day with President Bush, the Prime Minister noted: "I got this present from the Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Gutierrez. It is a bracelet and there is a simple word on it, which is "cambio" meaning "change." And in Cuba you can actually get arrested for wearing this bracelet. But when I come back home I will wear this just for the sake of Mr. Paroubek and Mr. Zaoralek."

The press conferences transcripts can be found at:

http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_005265

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/02/20080227-2.html