WASHINGTON · The final report of the White House Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba is expected to recommend a fivefold expansion in funds to promote democracy on the island, according to sources familiar with its contents.

But even as the White House prepares to make an announcement, probably Thursday, on what recommendations it intends to implement, administration officials this week were debating how tough the 500-page report should be.

One of the thorniest issues is a possible recommendation to cut back or temporarily freeze remittances, money that Cuban-Americans are allowed to send to relatives on the island. Reports about a possible cut have stirred passions in South Florida, where Cuban-Americans are divided about whether remittances should be allowed. Some argue they are necessary to help struggling family members; others say the money goes into the coffers of the Cuban government.

Currently, Americans may send $1,200 a year to people on the island.

Another controversial proposal would restrict how often Cuban-Americans can travel to the island. Currently, Cuban-Americans may legally visit relatives once a year. Cuban-Americans, along with journalists and a few other categories of people, are exempt from the travel ban that prevents most Americans from visiting the island legally.

Another recommendation expected to be in the report is the purchase of a small airplane that would be equipped to broadcast Radio and TV Marti to the island in an attempt to circumvent Cuban jamming.

It was unclear Tuesday how many of the recommendations would require congressional approval and how many could be implemented by the White House.

The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba was appointed by Bush in October to issue recommendations on ways to hasten a transition to democracy on the island and ways to assist Cuba during such a transition. The report is expected to recommend the naming of a transition coordinator who would oversee aid to the island during any period of political change.

The commission is led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and includes about 60 other government representatives, including national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. It includes five working groups focusing on such issues as hastening democracy, creating democratic institutions and improving infrastructure and the environment.

The commission's work has been secret, and administration officials have refused to comment on it.

Otto Reich, a member of the commission who recently resigned his post at the president's National Security Council, refused to comment on the contents. But Reich said the report will include actions the U.S. government could take to support a new Cuban government only if that government asked for the help.

Congressional critics of the administration's Cuba policy sent a letter to the White House last week urging changes in policy that move in the opposite direction of many of the recommendations expected in the Cuba commission report. The letter, signed by Republicans and Democrats in the House, called for ending the travel ban to Cuba, allowing unlimited remittances and increasing contacts between the two countries.

"Opening America's doors to Cuba -- and challenging Cuba to open its doors to the world -- will be an act of strength and magnanimity, an expression of confidence in the power of the great ideas that animate our country and are reflected in our people wherever they go," the letter said.

Brian Alexander, a consultant on Cuba issues with the Giraldilla Consulting Group, said the White House would find it tough to please its Cuban-American constituency in South Florida because the expectations are so high.

"This over-promising on Cuba has put the administration in a tight spot," he said.

Rafael Lorente can be reached at rlorente@sun-sentinel.com or 202-824-8225 in Washington.

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