Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

The United States Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba (CAFC) was created by United States President George W. Bush on October 10, 2003, to, according to him, explore ways the U.S. can help hasten and ease a democratic transition in Cuba.

The core group undertakes the day-to-day work of the commission.

Any US government agencies may be called upon to provide support to the commission's work by the authority granted it by National Security Presidential Directive 29 to create and task working groups.

It set out a plan for bringing about change on the island and outlined numerous perceived problem areas and solutions to solve them.

Fidel Castro referred to Rice as a "mad" woman and to the US Chief of Mission in Havana, Michael E. Parmly, as a "little gangster" and a "bully."