Title
A MOTION supporting coordination and compliance with current federal policy and initiatives towards establishment of relationships with the people of Cuba.
Body
WHEREAS, it is solely within the purview of the federal government to set foreign policy and determine if, when and how official government relationships with other nations are to be established and maintained; and
WHEREAS, efforts of local government to unilaterally establish relationships may have the effect of interfering with the federal government in any of its efforts to establish appropriate relationships with other nations; and
WHEREAS, the federal administration recently announced a new initiative on Cuba that include four measures designed to reach out to the Cuban people; and
WHEREAS, the four measures include:
Facilitating humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people by American religious or other nongovernmental organizations;
Providing direct assistance to the Cuban people through these religious or other nongovernmental organizations;
Calling for the resumption of direct mail service to and from Cuba; and
Establishing scholarships in the United States for Cuban students and professionals involved in building civil institutions and for family members of political prisoners;
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The King County council supports and will coordinate with federal policy and
initiatives relating to the council's establishment of relationships with Cuba's government.